FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 25, 2019 
MEDIA CONTACTS: Carole Trottere, Rebecca Cheng, Matt Leonenko and Michael Anderson | (516) 869-7794

North Hempstead, NY – North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth recently announced that Civil Rights activists who were featured in the Town-produced documentary Defining Moments: The Civil Rights Movement in North Hempstead were recently inducted into the Farmingdale State College’s Social Science Research Institute’s Social Justice Distinguished Scholar Academy. The Supervisor was also included in those honored for her tremendous support of the civil rights project.

The social justice award was presented by Farmingdale Distinguished Teaching Professor of Sociology Dr. Miriam K. Deitsch, who created the award to honor those who promote the cause of social justice.

Dr. Deitsch, Supervisor Bosworth and Suffolk County Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory also honored Gene Burnett, 90, a Civil Rights warrior and NAACP activist who fought a battle after returning from the war to obtain a house in Levittown with his family but was denied.

“It was so meaningful to see these civil rights heroes honored for their work in social justice issues,” said Supervisor Bosworth. “Having the Town’s documentary featured at Farmingdale State College was a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about the Civil Rights Movement and to meet these activists in person. I am grateful to Dr. Deitsch for coordinating the event.”

“Knowing that our Civil Rights heroes felt honored by all in attendance was a special gift; the joy in the ballroom was palpable and contagious,” said Dr. Deitsch. “We are grateful for their lives, their service, and their generosity. And to all who shared this glorious day, may we all be inspired into the future to embrace the cause of social equity and justice illuminated in “Defining Moments.”

The event included a showing of the film Defining Moments, and a question and answer panel with the film’s participants. More than 100 people attend the screening and award ceremony at Farmingdale State College’s Campus Center Ballroom.

Those honored included:
North Hempstead Town Councilwoman Lee Seeman (Great Neck)
Marge Rogatz (Port Washington)
Dr. Hazel N. Dukes (NYC)
Reverend Edward Corley of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Manhasset
Bernice Sims (Mineola)
Bernice Roberts (Westbury)
Rabbi Jerome Davidson (NYC)
Alan Reff (East Williston)
Saul Weinstein (Hicksville)
Peter Kornblum (Kings Point)
Alan Ginsberg (Great Neck)

The film was directed by NHTV Studio Director & LIXI Studios President Alan Ginsberg and was funded by a grant from the National Park Service (NPS). The 40-minute documentary represents nearly two years of research, interviews, filming and editing. In addition to the documentary, individual “oral histories” of more than a dozen North Hempstead residents who had a role in the Civil Rights Movement are available for viewing at www.mynhtv.com/civilrights For more information, or to receive a complimentary DVD of the documentary, call 311.

 


Left to rights front row seated-Alan Ginsberg; Jahad Hoyte, President of Student Government, Messiah Gaymon; Dr. Hazel Dukes; Marge Rogatz; Eugene Burnett; Rev. Edward Corley

Standing-Tax Receiver Charles Berman; Council Member Veronica Lurvey; Farmingdale State College Distinguished Teaching Professor of Sociology Dr. Miriam K. Deitsch; Council Member Peter Zuckerman; Council Member Viviana Russell, Town Clerk Wayne Wink; Bernice Roberts; Bernice Sims; Supervisor Judi Bosworth; Alan Reff, Suffolk County Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory.