Ask the DA: Extraordinary Women

April 10, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff
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By Charles J. Hynes
Brooklyn District Attorney

Last month, in honor of Women’s History Month, 33 honorees were celebrated for their accomplishments in their careers and their service to the communities in which they live.  I unveiled a huge calendar in the lobby of 350 Jay Street for the month of March 2012, with each day dedicated to one of the extraordinary women nominated by Brooklyn residents.   One day was dedicated to a mother/daughter team, and the 33rd honoree, Michele Kirschbaum, was honored with a special DA’s Choice Award.

 Each of the 33 women was given the title of “Special Ambassador” to their individual community in Brooklyn.  These incredible women were further acknowledged at a ceremony last week at our Sixth Annual Brooklyn’s Extraordinary Women event.  Each woman has a remarkable life story and exceptional strength of character.  They all serve as role models due to their selflessness, dedication and compassion.  They give back to their community driven by the sole motivation to make life better for others in their community.  It is a true honor for me to recognize these women for their outstanding contributions to the people of Brooklyn.  

Some of Brooklyn’s Extraordinary Women include a woman who mentors families of children with Down Syndrome.  Another woman is a victim of breast cancer who spreads awareness and formed an organization to help young women with cancer.  Another woman helps struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure, while another founded an organization that has helped over 1,000 survivors of strokes and brain injuries.  There was a mother/daughter team that formed the 17th Street Cancer Crusade which engages in fundraising to help find a cure.  Please visit YouTube to view the video from this event.

The 33 Extraordinary Women are:  Lillie Marshall (Red Hook), Rebecca Seigal (Ditmas Park), Trisha Francis (East Flatbush),  Pastor Roberta Moore (Brownsville), Johanna E. Willins (East New York), Shannon Hummel (Red Hook), Wai-Yee Chan (Midwood), Matilde Pedrero (Sunset Park), Sonia Valentin (Bensonhurst), Iris N. Sanchez (Sunset Park), Frances Brown (Red Hook), Shereice Hunter (Bedford Stuyvesant), Rukhsana Liaqat (Seagate/Coney Island), Marlena Ortiz (Marine Park),  Sarah Sander (Williamsburg), Cynthia Greenberg (Flatbush), Kim Henry (Dyker Heights), Pastor Debbe Santiago (Coney Island),  Denise Cosom (Brownsville), Chavie Glustein (Midwood), Maritza Fred (Sunset Park), Lisa Davie (Mill Basin), Mary Salogub (Canarsie), Ilene Sacco (Bayridge), Helen Wilson (Bedford Stuyvesant), Donna Maxil and Melissa Anceravige (Park Slope), Tammy Aguilera  Moore (Windsor Terrace/Kensington), Esther Friedman (Boro Park), Sara Reyes (Cypress Hills), Joyce Verderosa (Marina Park), Janet Munroe Rousseau (Crown Heights), and  Michele Kirschbaum (Brooklyn Heights).

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