The Nassau County Legislature took the time out to honor Women’s History Month with the 16th Annual “Women Trailblazers” Award Ceremony and Celebration.
Legislator Ford chose to honor Lisa Murphy from her District. “I had the privilege to honor Lisa Murphy as my Trailblazer!” said Ford. Lisa is the Commissioner of the newly consolidated Nassau County Department of Human Services.
Lisa Murphy is passionate about family and community. She is completely devoted to her multiple roles which includes volunteering for several community and civic organizations; Board of Directors of the Long Island Catholic newspaper, Compassionate Friend of the Dying, the local parish of Sacred Heart Church where for over 30 years she has taught religion and for 20 years helped in orchestrating the annual San Gennaro Feast, just to name a few.
Professionally, Lisa became the Acting Commissioner, Dept. of Senior Citizen Affairs for the County of Nassau in May of 2010, responsible for all operational & fiscal management within this department. In August of 2011, Lisa was appointed Commissioner to the newly consolidated Department of Human Services, which consists of: the Office of Mental Health; Chemical Dependency and Developmental Disabilities Services; the Office of the Physically Challenged Services; the Office for the Aging; and Office of Youth Services. In addition, Lisa coordinated collaborative emergency response to Super Storm Sandy and the long term effects this storm has had on the most vulnerable of our residents.
Lisa volunteered for days at the county shelters after Super Storm Sandy; even though Lisa, Jerry and their children Gregory, Dennis, Katie, Kevin, Marilyn, Bridget and Alfonse were all displaced from their home in Island Park due to the damages suffered from the storm. They are blessed to have a mother who each day inspires all of us to accept the challenges in life with love.