The Town of North Hempstead celebrated Women's History Month with its annual Women's Roll of Honor breakfast. The purpose of the breakfast is to honor women who live in the Town of Hempstead who have made significant contributions to their communities.

In 1994, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger decided the town would honor extraordinary women at an annual breakfast. Since then, the town has honored over 200 women who have accomplished a significant achievement through public or quiet work.

This year, the town inducted 18 women into its prestigious Roll of Honor. Among the honorees were Mineola residents Linda Fairgrieve and Patricia Santosus as well as Maxine Andrade, administrator for the Cancer Center for Kids at Winthrop-University Hospital, and East Williston residents Mildred Clinton and Margaret Casella.

Since Newburger was not able to attend to attend the ceremony due to an injury, Town Receiver of Taxes Ann Galante and Town Clerk Michelle Schimel shared the duties of the Master of Ceremonies awarding each of the honorees certificates of recognition for being named to the Women's Roll of Honor.

"I think they are outstanding women and they will be an inspiration to other women." said Galante.

Some of the honorees are well known to Mineola. Fairgrieve is a trustee in the Village of Mineola. In addition to her full-time job and her duties as a trustee, which take up numerous hours, Fairgrieve is also president of the Mineola Mustang Run.

The Mustang Run takes place each November but is a year long process as committee members seek donations and plan the event. This past November's run raised $29,500 that was distributed among the Mineola Volunteer Fire Department, Mineola Auxiliary Police, Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Winthrop-University Hospital Cancer Center for Kids, Mineola Athletic Association, Police Athletic League, Mineola Historical Society and Parent and Child Education Program (PACE).

In her other activities in Mineola, Fairgrieve has been a member of the Mineola Historical Society, an officer in the Mineola Hometown Party, a PTA member, MAA soccer coach, Girl Scout leader and officer of Friends and Neighbors.

Like Fairgrieve, Pat Santosus has been extremely active in Mineola. She has served over 25 years in the Mineola Fire Department's Ladies Auxiliary, including being past president. She is an active member of the Mercy League of Roslyn and the Willistons. She is a past president of the Mineola High School Music Parents and Mineola High School Booster Club. She has also been a Girl Scout leader and has held numerous officer positions in the Mineola PTA.

However, Santosus is most known for her efforts as an advocate for women's heart health. She has been a volunteer for the American Heart Association for more than 20 years. Her efforts were recognized on June 19, 2002 when the Long Island chapter of the American Heart Association presented her with its Distinguished Service. The award is presented on a rare occasion when an individual stands out as one whose efforts and contributions to the association are beyond reproach.

Perhaps Town Clerk Schimel said it best when she said Pat Santosus has miles and miles of heart.

"I was thrilled that they were finally honored for all the wonderful work they do. With their children growing up, they did so much work for the school and in the community. I was very thrilled they were picked," said Galante about her fellow Mineola residents Fairgrieve and Santosus.

Maxine Andrade, a resident of Port Washington, was also honored for her extensive work on behalf of children living with cancer. As administrator for Winthrop's Cancer Center for Kids, Andrade serves as an advocate for the physical and emotional well being of the center's young patients and their families, helping to bring hope and fun to their lives during and after treatment and other blood related illnesses.

Since losing her husband to cancer, Andrade has dedicated her life's work to others living with cancer. She has been deeply involved with pediatric oncology programs on Long Island since 1988. She joined Winthrop's Cancer Center for Kids in 2001 as the program administrator after serving more than 12 years as practice manager for North Shore University Hospital's pediatric cancer program.

The 18 women are as deserving as all those that have been inducted before them as they represent special skills and qualities that have improved where they live and work.