Lorraine Kaplan, a resident of Plainview received "Outstanding Recognition" among the 15 finalists in the "Inspiring Women Who Lead to Positive Change" award program sponsored by the Michael Peter Hayes Salon. All of the women were recognized for the positive impact that they have on their community, their workplace and their family.

Kaplan received "Outstanding Recognition" from the prestigious panel of judges for the award. "It was hard to select one woman from this group of impressive, successful women, but the judges had to make the call" said Michael Peter Hayes, owner of the East Norwich salon. "Lorraine is truly an inspiring woman."

Kaplan is the mother of a bright, accomplished son, who was in advanced classes, on the debate and wrestling teams, first trombonist in the orchestra and jazz band, a Regents Scholarship recipient. As a senior in high school, however, he became obsessive, paranoid, gradually withdrew from interpersonal relationships and had the first of many hospitalizations. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Because of the stigma of mental illness, the doctor advised the family to keep his condition a secret. In more than 25 years as a public school teacher, Kaplan told no one about her son.

Years later, Kaplan met two other mothers and teachers, also suffering in silence, at the Queens/Nassau chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. They decided to use their expertise to create an educational package about mental illness for teachers. They developed "Breaking the Silence: Teaching the Next Generation About Mental Illness" (BTS). It included lesson plans, games and posters for grades 4-12. Kaplan lectures on mental illness education and has piloted an educational outreach project, training retired teachers to promote BTS. BTS is now used in 43 states, as well as parts of Canada, Japan, Australia and the Virgin Islands.

"There are many, many women in this area who bring about important, positive change, whether in their home, their workplace, their community or elsewhere," said Hayes. "We felt this program would be a wonderful way to acknowledge some great local women and their achievements. As is true for many people, my mother Jeanne, was my first inspiration and I wanted to develop some sort of recognition program in her honor."

The judges for the awards included Miss New York State 2003, Jessica Lynch, Hon. Frank Naudus and Paralympic Silver Medal Winner Bonnie St. John.

In addition to receiving Outstanding Recognition for the 2003 Michael Peter Hayes Award for "Inspiring Women Who Lead to Positive Change," Kaplan will also receive a complimentary color and cut from the salon and a full make-up application from the world-renowned Sandy from Sandy-O. In addition, she will be treated to dinner for two at Angelina's in East Norwich, with limousine service to and from the dinner courtesy of Double D Limousine, as well as a spa revitalizer, including facial, aromatherapy massage, body treatment, Manhattan manicure and a spa pedicure from Woodstock Day Spa.