Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and members of the Town Board hosted a special ceremony to recognize exceptional women who have significantly given back to our communities. This year’s ceremony recognized 10 ‘Women of Distinction’ who live and work throughout the Town of Oyster Bay.
Supervisor Saladino stated, “These extraordinary women all have outstanding qualities and have truly made our Town a better place. Together with my colleagues on the Town Board, we salute these outstanding residents for giving back to the charities, our hometown and the neighbors they love so much.”
Councilwoman Johnson, Chairperson of the Women of Distinction Committee, added “All of our honorees went above and beyond in their communities. Even with the crazy times that were upon us throughout the toughest times of the COVID pandemic, these women went even farther above and beyond. The honorees selected should take pride in their great achievements as they are true role models in their various fields and communities.”
2023 HONOREES
Jamie Arty of Mill Neck
Jamie is a passionate preservationist and environmentalist with a deep love for history. She has dedicated her time and efforts to restoring one of Oyster Bay’s most historic homes and discovered its rich history, including its connection to an abolitionist and former enslaved person who obtained her own freedom. She serves on the board for Raynham Hall, co-chairs its fundraising benefits, and also serves on the Beautification Committee of the Main Street Association. Jamie is the founder of MonarchButterfly.com, which is aimed at promoting habitat restoration and sustainability for healthy ecosystems.
Liz Franks of Massapequa
Liz is a volunteer for youth sports groups in the Plainedge community and active PTA member. She is also a committee chairperson for the Brian Moore Memorial Fund, through which she assists the group in providing financial assistance to police officers, firefighters and military personnel and their families. The group also provides scholarships to Plainedge graduates. Liz is instrumental in all of the Brian Moore events and activities throughout the year.
Dr. Barbara Feingold of Seaford
Barbara Feingold is one of the two founders of The Hagedorn Little Village School in Seaford. The school was opened in 1969 with one classroom and three students. Today, HLVS provides services and evaluations to more than 1,400 families annually. Barbara is a pioneer in the area of special education and through her efforts she has been able to help thousands of students to achieve a quality of life that would otherwise have been impossible.
Elizabeth Hashagen of Massapequa
Elizabeth Hashagen is the Network anchor for the News12 “New Normal” show. Each weekday she is live on all seven News12 stations to bring in-depth interviews covering the issues that impact the everyday lives in the tri-state area and works with local experts to answer viewer questions in real time. This passion project began as a way to help people during the pandemic. At that time the show “Coping in the Crisis,” allowed viewers to get the latest health information and guidance on everything from mental health, education and jobs.
Madhu Minna of Jericho
Madhu Minna volunteers with Food Rescue US Nassau, serving as volunteer site director since 2021. She is responsible for recovering fresh food that is donated or would otherwise be discarded from places including grocery stores and bakeries, and coordinating the delivery of the food items to be delivered to the homeless and food insecure throughout Long Island – 6 days a week. She also volunteers as a schedule coordinator for Rocking the Road for a cure which brings weekly groceries to breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy etc.
Janice Talento of Massapequa
Janice is the chairperson of Drug Free Long Island with a passion for giving back to the community. She founded the organization in 2009, with a mission of transforming all of Long Island into a safe, drug free environment for all residents. She works with counseling centers, treatment centers and schools to educate parents and children, helping to save lives and make our communities stronger. Janice works to coordinate educational programs, fundraisers and events to advance the group’s mission through public awareness.
Joan Adomsky of Oyster Bay
In addition to her vast career as a teacher and principal, Joan has made time for service in her home community. After retiring, she worked at the Boys and Girls Club in Oyster Bay as an Employment Coordinator, helping youngsters in the community find employment opportunities. She has also volunteered at the Church of Saint Dominic and has been a Eucharistic Minister for over 25 years, as well as assisted hundreds of local families with needs such as food, clothing and baby and home essentials.
Patricia McGarrigle of Massapequa Park
Patricia McGarrigle is an energetic retired teacher who has never actually stopped teaching. When the war broke out in Ukraine, she ignored potential danger and boarded a plane to Poland to teach Ukrainian refugee children who were fleeing with their mothers to Poland for safety. At their own expense, Pat and her husband packed up 30 boxes of books and shipped them to Poland to the place where she would teach the young students who were anxious to learn.
Patti Pizza of Seaford
Patti Pizza has been with the Hagedorn Little Village School for over 40 years as a Teacher, Supervisor and Educational Coordinator; being promoted to School principal in 2008. She has been an integral part of HLVS Administrative Team where she works to establish and implement policy and guidelines for school programs. During the course of her career, she has mentored hundreds of teachers, supervisors and clinicians.
Ronit Birns of Plainview
Ronit Birns has been tirelessly raising money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society since 2002, when she was first diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She has raised over $600,000 due to her efforts with each year’s MS Walk and has served as a mentor to those recently diagnosed with this debilitating disease. She serves as a team leader, helping to coordinate friends, loved ones and colleagues for this event every year, which helps change the world for those affected by MS.