Livingston Teen awarded 2026 Woman of Distinction Award by NYS Assembly

LIVINGSTON, N.J. — At just 15 years old, Livingston resident Judith Nadelson has earned statewide recognition for her commitment to advocacy and public service, becoming the youngest recipient of the 2026 Woman of Distinction Award, presented by the New York State Assembly and the New York City Council.

Judith was honored for her work with the True Freedom Life Foundation, where she worked under Marina Umanskaya to support legislative advocacy efforts for Clava's Law, an initiative aimed at strengthening protections against child abuse and reforming custody practices in New York.

In her role, Judith helped expand awareness of the proposed legislation by connecting with nonprofit organizations, foundations, legislators, and elected officials across New York State. Her outreach efforts focused on building support for the law and engaging community leaders in its mission.

Her dedication and leadership earned her a nomination for the 2026 Woman of Distinction Award. The honor was presented by New York City Council Member Susan Zhuang and New York State Assembly Member William Colton, recognizing Judith's contributions to advocacy at an age when most teenagers are just beginning to explore community involvement.

As the youngest recipient of this year's award, Judith's achievement reflects the growing impact that young people can have in advancing meaningful change through civic engagement and public service.