April 10, 2007

Suozzi Honors "Women of Distinction"

Mineola, N.Y. - Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, joined by the Department of Minority Affairs, today hosted the annual County Executive’s “Women of Distinction Award” luncheon in honor of Women’s History Month. This year’s five honorees are Dr.Urmilesh Arya, Medical Director Queens Bridge Family Health Center; Roz Goldmacher, President of the Long Island Development Corporation; Mi-Kwang Ha, President of the Korean American Women’s Network; V. Elaine Gross, President of Erase Racism; and Yvonne Mowatt, Community Services Manager for Girl Scouts of Long Island

“I am very pleased to be able to honor these outstanding Nassau County residents for their wonderful contributions to the County, their communities and beyond,” County Executive Suozzi said.

Dr. Urmilesh Arya is a Pediatrician and Fellow of the American College of Pediatrics, and presently serves as Medical Director at Queens Bridge Family Health Center, an affiliate of Cornell New York Presbyterian Hospital. She has also served as a trustee of the Association of Physicians in America and served as President of the New York chapter of the Association of Indians in America, which promotes Indian heritage.

Roz Goldmacher is President and CEO of the Long Island Development Corporation, which has helped Long Island entrepreneurs obtain over $ 1.5 billion in government contracts through its free counseling service. Ms. Goldmacher was a founding director of the Long Island Women’s Agenda, which promotes issues relating to women and was also a charter member of the National Association of Women Business Owners and is lifetime member of Black Women Enterprises. Ms. Goldmacher also serves on County Executive Suozzi’s and Women’s Advisory Council.

V. Elaine Gross is the President of ERASE Racism, anindependent New York State not- for profit corporation that promotes policies and programs to address institutional and structural racism and increase racial equity in public school education, housing, and healthcare. Ms. Grossalso serves on the Long Island Regional Planning Boards, the Executive Committee of Sustainable Long Island’s Board of Directors and the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island.

Dr. Mi-Kwang Ha, is President of the Korean American Women’s Network and serves as a board member for the Korean Family Counseling and Research Center. Dr. Ha has also taught Korean Language and Literature at St. John’s University, Queens College and Long Island University and she and husband sponsor an annual essay contest for children who have lost a parent, with the winners receiving college scholarships.

Yvonne Maria Mowatt is the Community Services Manager for Girl Scouts of Nassau County and is Past President of the Central American Parade Committee in Hempstead. She was also a founder of the Hispanic Cultural Parade in Nassau County and the Director of Cultural Enterprises, Inc., which showcases the arts and cultures of 21 different countries. In 1999 she was named “Outstanding Latina of the Year” by El Diario- La Prensa. Mrs. Mowatt also serves as a Eucharistic Minister at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church in Roosevelt, where she counsels parents on building positive relationships with their children.