Hewlett resident is a 'Woman of Distinction'

Martha Carney, of Hewlett, was one of the 10 women that State Assemblywoman Judy Griffin (D- Rockville Centre) highlighted with her third annual Women of Distinction ceremony that took place on July 22. The women were recognized for their civic contributions and being role models.

Carney, a Hewlett resident for 45 years, originally was active in two Parent-Teacher Associations: the Hewlett-Woodmere School District and the Special Education PTA in the Lawrence district. Through the years, she served in several leadership positions in both units until her younger son transferred into the Rosemary Kennedy Center in Wantagh, where Martha then served as PTA president for many years.

With her children comfortable in their programs, Carney then fulfilled her dream of earning a college degree, which did at SUNY College at Old Westbury, with a degree in journalism that led to a 25-year career in public relations in the not-for-profit arena.

She served on the executive board of Nassau Association for the Help of Retarded Children for 26 years and has continued serving on the Advocacy and Employment Services Committees. Carney is a 30-year member and director of the North Woodmere-Valley Stream Auxiliary of AHRC, helping with fundraising and raising awareness of the needs of people with developmental disabilities.

“The impressive effort these women have made to positively impact their families, their careers, their neighbors and their communities truly goes above and beyond expectation,” Griffin stated in a news release. “Their unique contributions create a beautiful ripple effect, which encourages others to join them in their endeavors. One thing that really resonated with this glorious class of women, is how important their families are to them or have impacted them to be the women they are standing before us.” 

Also honored were: Erika Elizabeth Hill from Baldwin, Rosemarie Olivera of East Rockaway, Patricia Fulton-Lawrence from Freeport, Jessica Kern of Lynbrook, Dr. Carol Hassett from Malverne, Christine Schaefer of Oceanside, Elizabeth “Liz” Dion from Rockville Centre, Michelle James Wettstein of South Hempstead and Lt. Yvonne Armstrong from West Hempstead.