Massapequa Women Of Distinction Honored

MASSAPEQUA, NY — The Town of Oyster Bay held a Women of Distinction ceremony to recognize exceptional women who have made significant contributions to the community. This year’s honorees included four individuals who live and work in Massapequa.

“These extraordinary individuals all have something special about them that deserves recognition," said Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. "While they all have different outstanding qualities that make our Women of Distinction Committee members select them as honorees, they all have one thing in common – these women all do what they do without the expectation of any recognition.”

The Massapequa honorees were:

Barbara Russo has impacted the local community in many ways. As a member and current president of the Board of Directors for YES Community Counseling Center, Russo has helped thousands of young people struggling with drug addiction. She has empowered countless young people with the tools for success and bettered their mental health. She has volunteered her time in various ways, whether it be at the Sunday school offered through her church, the Ashely Rose Foundation which focuses on research and education related to spina bifida, her local civic association, or as a troop leader for girl scouts. During Hurricane Sandy, Russo helped start a disaster relief center, coordinating cleanups and providing concrete resources to south shore communities.

Cindi St. George is well-known in her hometown for her tremendous support of the school district. She is someone who has been an integral part of the community, by continuously contributing her time and efforts to children and their parents. She promotes child advancement in the school system, is involved in countless school programs and is also an integral part of the PTA. Currently a co-president of the executive board of the PTA at her local Unqua Elementary School, St. George has continued the school’s longstanding tradition of going far beyond the routine in order to achieve truly superior results.

Kerry Wachter has been volunteering in Massapequa for more than a decade. After first joining the PTA, she quickly became an integral part of the organization and is always looking for ways to improve and streamline procedures. She is someone who has always strove to improve upon local schools and recently took the reins as president of the Massapequa Board of Education. Wachter has given so much of her time and talent to the students of her community, and is determined to provide every child in the district with the best experience possible.

Dolores Genovese has been a resident of Massapequa since 1940 and has always showed a great love for her community. She taught in the Massapequa school system for 29 years, and became an active volunteer after retirement. She has touched the lives of countless students and children in need. For 20 years she volunteered her time to tutor elementary school children and she has served as chair of the Child Welfare Group of the Women’s Club of Massapequa. Through this group, funds are raised to assist needy families in the community who are experiencing temporary financial hardship. She has also volunteered at the INN soup kitchen for many years, has partnered with her school district and YES Community Counseling Center to identify and assist children and families with hardships.