Linda Beigel Schulman Recognized As LI 'Woman of Distinction'

DIX HILLS, NY — Suffolk County Legislator Susan A. Berland announced her selection of Linda Beigel Schulman as the 2020 "Woman of Distinction" from the 16th Legislative District.

County Legislators are asked each year to nominate a woman from their district whose character,
leadership and contributions to her community are representative of the best Suffolk County has to offer. With those qualities in mind, Berland decided without hesitation to nominate Beigel Schulman.

Beigel Schulman has become a staunch advocate for "reasonable gun safety legislation" in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of her son, Scott Beigel, who died while shielding his students from gunfire during the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on February 14, 2018, Berland's office said. She was instrumental in the passage of the "Red Flag Law" in Florida, which calls for the removal of firearms from people deemed by a court to be a present danger to themselves or others. She advocated for a similar law in New York which, since its passage, has been regarded as the most comprehensive gun safety legislation in the country. Her mantra is "everyone has a right to be safe."

"Linda has demonstrated resolve, resilience, bravery, determination and compassion through
unfathomable loss and tragedy," Berland said. "She is a tireless advocate for reasonable gun safety reform, a champion for change and a role model for all those who have been affected by gun violence. Her selection as the 16th Legislative District’s ‘Woman of Distinction’ is a designation that is well-earned. Linda is a woman to be admired."

Beigel Schulman strives to keep the legacy of her son alive. Scott worked as a counselor at Camp Starlight in Pennsylvania and, in his honor, she founded the Scott J. Beigel Memorial Fund to send
underprivileged children touched by gun violence to summer sleep-away camp. Last summer, the
fund was able to send 54 children to three different camps in New York State.

"I am privileged and honored to be named the 16th Legislative District’s ‘Woman of Distinction’,"
Beigel Schulman stated via release. "I have such respect and admiration for Legislator Berland that receiving the recognition from her made it even more meaningful. Since the murder of my son Scott J. Beigel during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Parkland, Florida, I have dedicated my life to gun safety through both legislation and education. I have worked and will continue to work for the enactment of reasonable gun safety legislation on both a state and federal level, to protect us all from senseless and preventable gun violence. Through the Scott J. Beigel Memorial Fund, we are sending disadvantaged children touched by gun violence to
sleep-away summer camp to show them that there is an alternative to guns and gangs. Thank you
again to Legislator Berland for this recognition and honor."

Beigel Schulman is a Dix Hills resident and holds a bachelor of arts in education from the University of Arizona and a master of science degree from Long Island University. She is a licensed teacher and has taught in Arizona and abroad and currently works as a paralegal with her husband, Michael Schulman, in their law practice in Melville. The love and support of her husband, her daughter Melissa, and her two grandchildren, Remy and Dylan, have been of paramount importance during the past few years.