A time to honor the silent volunteers

Assemblyman Tom McKevitt hosted the 6th annual “Women of Distinction” award ceremony on Aug. 11 where two East Meadow residents were among the 22 honored for the tremendous impact they have had on their community and commitment to community service.

Representing the East Meadow PTSA, Seema Rahman was recognized for her dedication to the students in the school district. Rahman said she became involved in the PTA at Barnum Woods Elementary and Woodland Middle School when her children, Zahid and Sofia, were young, and transitioned to an executive board position on the East Meadow PTSA when they entered high school. “I thought it was necessary to really try to be there for the kids,” she said. Rahman is commonly assisting with fundraisers and enhancing communication between teachers, parents and students as a PTSA member.

In addition to her volunteerism with the school, Rahman is on the executive board for the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury and helped to establish and run a Girl Scout troop at the center when Sofia was a Brownie. At the center, Rahman also runs a youth leadership group where students participate in interfaith and community service projects, she said. “The group instills leadership skills and helps [the youth] learn to deal with situations that arise in the real world.”

Rahman, who is also a medical secretary at North Shore-LIJ, said she got involved with community service to stay connected with her growing kids and truly enjoys the experience. “I really feel like it’s important to be involved in your children’s lives,” she said. “I always liked to be involved with the kids’ stuff.”

Dr. Loraine Alderman, a school psychologist and award-winning children’s book author, was also commended for her work in the community. Alderman said her son Andrew’s volunteer experience with the Lupus Alliance prompted her participation more than 12 years ago. “I was just so impressed how they treated a 12-year-old like an adult,” she said. The family has helped raise more than $18,000 for the organization since that time, Alderman said, adding that the other dedication volunteers make the experience “pleasurable.”