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Adelphi University holds 'Women in Government' panel event
Nearly 100 Long Island residents celebrated Women’s History Month last week by attending “Women in Government: Encouraging the Next Generation,” an event jointly hosted by Adelphi University and the Hon. Leslie C. Gross, North Hempstead’s town clerk, which brought 11 local female elected officials together to talk about their personal stories. Among several topics, the women spoke about experiences that inspired them, their upbringing, how they became involved in public service, how they were able to chart a successful future for themselves, and their current legislative focus.
The women also talked about the challenges they have faced while holding elected office, as well as the hard work, dedication and strong work ethic that compelled them to give back to their community. The free event was held on Friday, March 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., in Adelphi’s Ruth S. Harley University Center’s Thomas Dixon Lovely Ballroom.
The panelists, a selection of women who serve, or have served, in public office in Nassau County and across the state of New York, included the Hon. Maureen O’Connell, Nassau County clerk; the Hon. Judi Bosworth, a Nassau County legislator; the Hon. Viviana Russell, a councilwoman for the Town of North Hempstead; the Hon. Dorothy Goosby, a councilwoman for the Town of Hempstead; the Hon. Denise Ford, a Nassau County legislator; the Hon. Maria-Christina Poons, councilwoman for the Town of North Hempstead; the Hon. Michelle Schimel, a member of the New York Assembly; the Hon. Norma Gonsalves, a Nassau County legislator; the Hon. May Newburger, a former New York Assemblywoman; and the Hon. Barbara Donno, mayor of Plandome Manor.
Newberger, who has enacted a number of major environmental laws and spearheaded the revitalization of the New Cassel community, spoke about how she got involved in politics — something she never imagined herself doing. As an advocate for women’s and children’s issues, she said she realized as an adult that in order to tackle those issues locally, more women had to be part of government. “If we are going to change government, we have to be it,” Newberger said.
