Local women and their role models

Dorothy Goosby, Councilwoman for the Town of Hempstead: “This may seem like an insignificant way to start my conversation with Harriet Tubman, but I would begin by telling her that she shares a birthday with my husband, Jay. After that, I would feel composed enough to tell her how much I have admired her strength, her tenacity and her raw intelligence as denoted in her escape from slavery, her 13 missions to rescue more than 70 slaves, using the underground railroad, and her later work to promote women’s suffrage.”

Jane Austen

Maggie Gough, director of the Elmont Memorial Library: “I would choose to have tea with Jane Austen. I have selected her because of my love for her sensibility, her unique and totally forward-thinking insights into society, and her ability to capture the complex web of human interaction.”

Clare Booth Luce

Joanne Adams, director of community relations for the New York Racing Association: “I would love to meet Clare Booth Luce for champagne at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Clare Booth Luce (1903 - 1987) was an American playwright, editor, journalist, ambassador, socialite and U.S. Congresswoman. She coined the phrase: “No good deed goes unpunished.” We share the same alma maters! We both attended the Cathedral School of St. Mary, Garden City, New York — an independent school for girls — and Wheaton College, Norton, Massachusetts (during the period when it was a women’s college.) She lived an amazing life that encompassed many careers. She worked hard for her successes and fought for what she believed in. In fact, she learned about women’s suffrage from Mrs. Belmont! I have a feeling that we’d talk for hours.”

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Tobey Young, founder of previovrsandsurvivors.com, a Long Island nonprofit organization for cancer survivors and previvors: “My person, without question, would be Hillary Rodham Clinton. She is a staunch activist, fiercely fighting for what she believes in. I totally admire her for her initiative with health-care reform. Her composure and resolve during the presidential campaign was incredibly admirable, and I love her protective ‘mama bear’ nature, as far as her personal life goes. Hillary Rodham Clinton is very intelligent, and I love her ‘fight for what’s right’ attitude. I would so love to meet her, as I emulate her, and try to conduct my business and personal life so much like she does.”