Rockland County Honors Two During Women’s History Month

From the Rockland County Legislature: The Rockland County Legislature celebrates Women’s History Month by honoring two local residents whose significant contributions extend beyond county borders.

Legislator Harriet Cornell (D-West Nyack), Vice Chairwoman Nancy Low-Hogan (D-South Nyack) and Majority Leader Aney Paul (D-Nanuet) honored Bella Shore of Piermont and Wylene Branton Wood of Nanuet with Distinguished Service Awards. Legislature Chairman Toney L. Earl also joined in the presentation.

“It is a pleasure to honor two splendid women who have contributed so much throughout their lives, wherever they have lived, and most particularly, to show our appreciation for their lives of service as residents of our county,” Legislator Cornell said.

“This month is designated nationally as Women’s History Month, and in remembering my childhood days, I can tell you that very little was contained in school textbooks about outstanding women of our country,” Cornell said. “Women’s history was largely overlooked, but we know that women have always merited attention for their strength, fortitude, resilience and loyalty.

“Two women who have made history throughout their lives and continue to do so are Bella Shore and Wylene Branton Wood,” Cornell said. “It is an honor to recognize them for all they have done.”

Shore grew up in Poland and Germany, and was thrust into the maelstrom of World War II and the horror of the Holocaust. She was little more than a girl when she was in hiding, but strong enough to save herself and others from Nazis. She believed both her parents, who had been taken away, had been killed and it wasn’t until 16 years later, when she was safely living in Denmark, that she learned her mother was still alive.

Shore later immigrated to the United States, obtained an education and became a chemist at Lederle Laboratories. She even started a small catering business. She has served as a volunteer for years, including her tenure with the Board of the Mental Health Association, the Piermont Thrift Shop, and the Holocaust Center.

“Bella is a beautiful, gentle woman of charm and grace,” Cornell said. “Hers is an incredible story because she is also a woman who possess unbelievable strength and resilience.”

Shore has two accomplished daughters, including one who is an elected official in Denmark.

Wood grew up in Pine Bluff, Ark., and spent her teen years in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Spelman College and a graduate degree in English language and literature from the University of Chicago. Her 32-year teaching career began in the Chicago City Colleges and continued in posts in Los Angeles, in Maryland and later in Morris County, NJ, at the Mount Olive School District. She retired in 2004.

“Wood’s passion is the education of young people and she developed, organized and coordinated major educational and cultural events for our community, arranging with school districts to transport their students to Rockland Community College to engage with the programs,” Vice Chairwoman Low-Hogan said.

Wood revitalized the African American Historical Society of Rockland, serving as its president for 10 years. She served as co-chair of the Amistad ship’s visit to Haverstraw. Among the programs she helped create were “The Gift of Music,” highlighting the contributions of Black people from classical to spirituals, from ragtime to jazz. She interviewed Congressman John Lewis as part of the “Vote in America: Struggle, Challenge and Change” program; she worked on “IndiVisible: African-Native American Lives in the Americas” to enhance the visiting exhibit from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. The list of accomplishments goes on.

“Wylene would be the first to tell you that she didn’t do these alone, but it was her vision and determination that helped bring them to fruition for all to learn from, appreciate and enjoy,” Majority Leader Paul said.

Wood and her husband, Dr. Cliff Wood, president of RCC, have four grown children and five grandchildren. The couple will be relocating to Vermont after Dr. Wood retires from RCC at the end of the academic year.

Photos courtesy of the Rockland County Legislature:

(Image 1) From left to right, Legislators Nancy Low-Hogan, Harriet Cornell, Aney Paul and Toney L. Earl present a Distinguished Service Award to Bella Shore of Piermont in recognition of her contributions during the Rockland Legislature's Women's History Month celebration.

(Image 2) From left to right, Legislators Nancy Low-Hogan, Harriet Cornell, Aney Paul and Toney L. Earl present a Distinguished Service Award to Wylene Branton Wood of Nanuet in recognition of her contributions during the Rockland Legislature's Women's History Month celebration.