FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 21, 2013
MEDIA CONTACTS: Collin Nash, Ryan Mulholland and Sam Marksheid | (516) 869-7794
Town Honors Newburger & Women Trailblazers at 20th Annual Women’s Roll of Honor Breakfast
North Hempstead, NY– Town Clerk Leslie Gross and her staff, along with Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman, hosted the 20th Annual Women’s History Breakfast at Harbor Links Clubhouse on March 21st, in celebration of Women’s History Month. The event was held in memory of North Hempstead’s first female supervisor May W. Newburger, who passed away in August at the age of 92.
Town Clerk Leslie Gross said, “May Newburger had many sides: May the mentor, May the loyal ally, May the devoted friend, and May the shrewd, courageous political leader. But most of all, she was a Trailblazer and. a role-model for women.”
Gross also noted Newburger’s many protégés including Congressman Gary Ackerman, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, and Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman, among others.
Town Councilwoman Lee Seeman, who first met Newburger back in 1955, was the guest speaker for the morning. “May appreciated women who were accomplished and wanted the community to know about them,” said Seeman. “We live surrounded by greatness in the Town of North Hempstead and she felt that we must take a look at our neighbors.” That idea is what spurred the creation of this groundbreaking event by the late Supervisor back in 1994.
Supervisor Kaiman’s wife, Kim, added, “May Newburger holds a very special place in my heart. She was a mentor and a personal friend to my husband and me.”
This year’s event honored the trailblazers of North Hempstead, which included sixteen wonderful and deserving women from areas all across the town including Manhasset, Westbury, Port Washington, Roslyn, East Hills, Williston Park, Mineola, Albertson, and Great Neck.
The honorees this year all play an integral role in the success of their respective neighborhoods, either by being active in various community groups, working with children and the disabled, or dedicating their lives to fight for those less fortunate.
Shirley Romaine, one of the Women’s Roll of Honor’s first inductees, maintained her tradition of performing a poem at each event. This year, she read “When Great Trees Fall” by Maya Angelou, and dedicated it to Newburger.
Town Council members, County Legislators, and honorees mark the occasion of the 20th Annual Women’s History Breakfast.