Rotondo, Carrion recognized as ‘Women of Distinction’

Local ladies Claudia Rotondo, best known as the Executive Director of the Baldwin Council Against Drug Abuse, and Colette Carrion, President of the Baldwin Council of PTAs, were honored recently as 2013 New York State Women of Distinction. The two locals were celebrated along with more than 20 others at the Lynbrook library, and area officials including Assemblyman Brian Curran — who hosted the event — Town Council members Anthony Santino and Dorothy Goosby, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos were on hand to offer their congratulations.

“The selflessness and dedication these women have shown to our community is an uplifting example of devotion to our area and residents,” said Curran. “It is my honor to show them this small token of recognition for the hard work and perseverance they have showed for our community.”

The annual selection of New York State’s Women of Distinction is based on finding females who go above and beyond the call of civic engagement and community outreach to make their communities a better place. Carrion more than satisfied these criteria by serving as a passionate and vocal advocate for children. Active with the Baldwin PTA, Carrion has been instrumental in coordinating many successful events centering on various areas of education. Her work with Parent Academy Workshops, Baldwin’s Health & Wellness Fair, the Friends of Baldwin Schools, the Baldwin Educational Advisory and the Baldwin Boosters have raised the profile of the education system in Baldwin and have kept the level of community involvement high.

Claudia Rotondo has been battling substance abuse in Baldwin since the late 1970s. As Executive Director of the Baldwin Council Against Drug Abuse, and now with the group Too Good for Drugs, Rotondo educates residents, and especially young people, about the deleterious effects of substance abuse on the mind and body as well as on interpersonal relationships and overall well being.

The 2013 Women of Distinction honorees came from Lynbrook, Rockville Centre, Freeport, East Rockaway and other places. The event celebrating their achievements featured speeches, the distribution of awards and musical accompaniment. More than 125 people were on scene to make the event a special one.