March 24, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON AND FIRST LADY MICHELLE PAIGE PATERSON HONOR NEW YORK’S WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE
Governor David A. Paterson and First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson today honored the recipients of the New York State Women of Excellence Awards. The Governor and First Lady recognized seven trailblazers in the areas of business, health, justice, law enforcement, community service, and education during the sixth annual Women of Excellence Awards Celebration in the State Capitol.
“New York has a strong tradition of remarkable women whose contributions have enriched our communities and set an example for generations to come,” Governor Paterson said. “In their work to improve our businesses, protect our health, expand our knowledge and keep us safe, these seven women continue this legacy. I am honored, particularly during Women’s History Month, to celebrate their achievements.”
“Each March, we commemorate the women who have led to true progress, who have inspired us to make a real difference in our neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces,” First Lady Paterson said. “The honorees exemplify the spirit of Women’s History Month. I commend them for their service and applaud them for their achievements.”
The Governor established the Women of Excellence Awards when he served as Senate Minority Leader to honor the inspiring women within the Harlem community. He expanded the program to include communities across New York while serving as Lieutenant Governor. The criteria include dedication to service and volunteerism that focuses on solving community-based problems.
The Women of Excellence Awards Celebration takes place in March to coincide with Women’s History Month. Governor Paterson issued a proclamation on March 1, 2009, to mark the 28th annual observance of Women’s History Month and encouraged all New Yorkers to learn more about the groundbreaking women whose influence continues to shape our world.
This year’s honorees are listed below:
Woman of Business: Laurie Branch
Laure Branch is CEO and President of The Iroquois Group, Inc., one of country’s oldest and largest insurance associations that negotiates insurances rates for small businesses. Ms. Branch is responsible for The Iroquois Groups’ financial and organizational management, working to ensure that small businesses have access to high-quality, affordable insurance. Ms. Branch is also a trustee at St. Bonaventure University and serves on the Olean City School District Board of Education, where she resides.
Woman of Health: Dr. Ming-der Chang
Dr. Ming-der Chang is the Vice President American Cancer Society’s (ACS, East Division Asian Initiatives, working to develop educational programs, volunteer opportunities and other critical services in the Asian community. Dr. Chang is also the Founder and President of Cultural Development Center-Plainview Chinese School on Long Island, which provides Chinese language courses and sponsors a variety of cultural events. Dr. Chang is a member of the Minority Women’s Health Panel of Experts of the Department of Health and Human Services – Office on Women’s Health.
Woman of Justice: Honorable Sonia Sotomayor
Honorable Sonia Sotomayor, federal Judge of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, is the first Puerto Rican woman to serve on the U.S. Circuit Court. Prior to her confirmation to the U.S. Circuit Court, Judge Sotomayor was a federal Judge for the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York and also served as an Assistant District Attorney under New York City District Attorney Robert Morgenthau. Judge Sotomayor is a member of the American Bard Association, the New York Women’s Bar Association, the Puerto Rican Bar Association, the Hispanic National Bar Association, the Association of Judges of Hispanic Heritage and the National Council of La Raza. She is also an Adjust Professor at New York University School of Law and a lecturer-in-law at Columbia Law School.
Woman of Law Enforcement: Laurie J. Bennett
Laurie Bennett serves as a Special Agent in Charge with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In the course of her career, Ms. Bennett has investigated international terrorism, drug trafficking, violent crimes and organized crime. She has served as Section Chief in the Communication Exploitation Section of the Counter Terrorism Division, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Portland Field Office, and, as Evidence Response Team Leader, was deployed to Saudi Arabia following the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing. Ms. Bennett has also trained law enforcement officials in health, physical fitness, and search and recovery.
Woman of Community Service: Josephine Infante
Josephine Infante is the Founder, Executive Director and CEO of the Hunts Point Economic Development Corporation (HPEDC), a not-for-profit groups that serves residents in the South Bronx. Through HPEDC, Ms. Infante has been the leader of economic and community revitalization in the South Bronx, providing a unified voice for this community. The organization has brought critical investment to the area and leading to job creation, training and business growth. Ms. Infante is the winner of the 1996 Small Business Administration Recognition Award and the 1996 Hispanic Heritage Merit Award from the New York City Comptroller’s Office.
Women of Education: Dr. Barbara A. Seals Nevergold and Dr. Peggy Brooks-Bertram
As co-founders of the Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education on Women, Inc. at the University of Buffalo, Drs. Nevergold and Brooks-Bertram have worked to create a model for the reclamation, collection, preservation and dissemination of the biographic histories of African American women. Since the Institute’s formation in 1999, Drs. Nevergold and Brooks-Bertram have collected the histories of thousands of women from New York and Oklahoma. In 2007, they launched the Uncrowned Kings initiative. Drs. Nevergold and Bertram are also the authors of three books entitled, Uncrowned Queens: African American women community builders of Western New York and a fourth volume, Uncrowned Queens African American women community builders of Oklahoma.Last September, the Institute, in partnership with WNED Broadcasting, launched an National Public Radio Program “Uncrowned Queens: Voices from the Community,” and will receive the National Gracie Award for Outstanding Programming for a Documentary this June.
