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A Few Clouds Valley Stream women who make a difference
Assemblywoman Solages honors several local leaders
With great fanfare, state Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages honored several prominent women from the 22nd District, which includes Valley Stream, for their contributions to the community.
In her first ever Women of Distinction luncheon on March 23 at the Gateway World Christian Center on North Central Avenue, Solages recognized people who have gone above and beyond in their roles. Local honorees included Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce President Debbi Gyulay, Forest Road School Principal Erin Malone, and TD Bank branch Manager Glenore Anderson.
Six months ago, Gyulay was presenting an award to Anderson, as TD Bank was the recipient of the Chamber of Commerce’s Business Achievement Award. On March 23, they were honorees together, and both were caught off guard.
“I walked in the room and somebody congratulated me on the award and I said, “What award?” Gyulay said. “I was surprised and I was honored.”
Gyulay was nominated for the award by Gail Carlin, a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. To be one of a select few being honored, with a crowd of more than 200 people on hand, was very moving, Gyulay said.
She has been the Chamber of Commerce president since 2007, and also sits on the Valley Stream Community Fest organizing committee as well as the Youth Council Board of Directors.
Anderson has been the manager of Valley Stream’s TD Bank branch for two and a half years. Before that, she worked for HSBC Bank for nearly 20 years. She was born in Trinidad and lived in London and Canada before moving to New York 22 years ago.
As bank manager, Anderson says her focus in helping small businesses. If TD Bank can’t lend a small business owner money, she works with them to find an agency that can, and also helps them develop a business plan.
What started out as a job in the banking industry more than two decades ago has blossomed into a career that Anderson loves. She added that she is very proud to be working in Valley Stream. “Treating people the way I wanted to be treated made a difference in my success,” she said.
Anderson says she doesn’t know who nominated her for the Women of Distinction award, but was touched by the recognition. “It was just fabulous to be counted among the great women that they honored,” she said.
Malone, in her fifth year as principal of the District 30 elementary school, was nominated by Kenroy Woodley, co-president of the Forest Road PTA. “I felt privileged to be a part of the event,” she said. “It was remarkable to be chosen from the large pool of people who contribute to their community.”
After coming to Valley Stream from the Lawrence School District in 2009, Malone quickly found Forest Road to be a second home. Serving the small, community-minded Mill Brook neighborhood has been an honor in itself, she explained.
Malone said running the school is a big time commitment, and she was touched that a parent chose to recognize her for her hard work and dedication.
Working with parents who care about their children, and about each other, has made coming to Forest Road every day a pleasure for Malone. “That’s what makes the time worth it,” she said.
The recipients raved about the event that Solages and her staff organized, which included several presentations. There was a performance by Layla’s Dance and Drum, poetry, speeches and songs. Cindy Brown, of Valley Stream, played the part of Sojourner Truth, a performance that Malone said “blew people away.”
Several women were able to set up displays promoting their businesses, and local Girl Scouts spoke about famous females who have inspired them.
Other honorees included Rita Bopp-Carroll of the Nassau County Police Department’s 4th precinct, community activist Patricia Lesponasse, and Mercy Phillip, co-pastor of Gateway.
Solages said that it was her pleasure to honor women who enhance the everyday quality of life in their respective communities, and, at the same time, bring people together.
