Suffolk Honors Women Veterans Who Served Country, Community

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Women veterans from across Suffolk County were honored Tuesday by the Suffolk County Legislature for their military service, sacrifice and continued contributions to their communities.

The honorees were recognized during the Legislature’s general meeting at the Rose Caracappa Auditorium in the William H. Rogers Legislature Building in Hauppauge. Legislators introduced women veterans from their respective districts as part of the county’s observance of Women Veterans Recognition Day.

Women Veterans Recognition Day is marked each year on June 12. The date recognizes the 1948 signing of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, which gave women the right to serve permanently in the regular armed forces.

“It is a special privilege to honor Suffolk’s women veterans for their service in the military and in our communities,” Presiding Officer Anthony Piccirillo said. “Throughout America’s history, women have served in wars and conflicts. Today, women serve in all military specialties, including combat.”

A 2024 resolution sponsored by Legislator Nick Caracappa established the annual recognition, ensuring each legislator selects a woman veteran from their district to be publicly honored at the second general meeting in June. Piccirillo said women veterans have not always received the recognition they deserve.

“Despite their longstanding and storied service, many women veterans struggle to be recognized, respected and valued as veterans in civilian life,” he said. “After all they have done and continue to do, women veterans certainly deserve our support and respect.”

Piccirillo honored Jane York, of Sayville, who served in the United States Navy on active duty from 2012 to 2017 as a Master-at-Arms and continued serving in the Selected Reserve.

York was stationed at Marine Corps Security Force Battalion Bangor, where she helped safeguard nuclear assets, officials said. She later served in a supervisory role, leading more than 30 sailors and Marines in high-pressure environments.

After her military service, York continued working in service-focused roles through social work and higher education. She currently serves as assistant director of Military and Veteran Student Services at Stony Brook University, where she supports student veterans’ academic success, well-being and sense of belonging, officials said.

The honorees:

• Evelyn Hobson-Womack, U.S. Army Reserve, Riverhead
• Sharon Lewis, U.S. Navy, Hampton Bays
• Ashley Y. Espin, U.S. Air National Guard, Center Moriches
• Phyllis Boccio, U.S. Navy, Selden
• Naomi Sawyer, U.S. Army, Stony Brook
• Bethany K. Green, U.S. Army, Wading River
• Jane York, Sayville
• Jody-Kay Townsend, U.S. Army, Brentwood
• Julissa Fonseca, U.S. Marine Corps, Central Islip
• Donna Zephrine, U.S. Army, Bay Shore
• Christine Rosenvinge, U.S. Navy, Hauppauge
• Kelli Porti, U.S. Army, St. James
• Brenda Orejuela, U.S. Navy, Lindenhurst
• Lenore Elizabeth Brathwaite, U.S. Air Force, Amityville
• Darlene M. Salley, U.S. Air Force, Huntington Station
• Wynette Bates, U.S. Army, Deer Park
• Mary McCue, U.S. Marine Corps, East Northport