The Business and Professional Women's Club of Staten Island will
present its Award of Distinction to four women at a brunch on
Sunday, beginning at noon in Nansen Lodge, Travis.
The award is given to women who have made a contribution to the
community and served as role models for others. The event is open to
the public. The ticket price is $38 per person. Reservations and
additional information may be obtained by calling (718) 698-6056.
This year's award recipients will be Marina Alexander, Deirdre
DeAngelis-D'Alessio, Eileen Kavanagh and Sister Ann Woodford.
Elaine Croteau, second vice president and membership chairman, is
chairing the day. Her co-chairs include Carol Lombardo, a partner in
the interior design firm of Champion Lombardo Designs, Inc.; Melinda
Gottlieb Staten Island Advance librarian; and Robyn Zappola,
assistant to the chief executive officer of Horwath International.
Marina Alexander
Ms. Alexander has been the musical director of the Richmond Choral
Society for eight years. In addition, she is assistant professor of
choral music at the College of Staten Island and founder of the
Arcadian Chorale. She is a founding member and president of the
Mid-State Arts Resource Team (a regional organization working to
create a new fine-and performing arts center in Monmouth County).
Ms. Alexander was recently nominated by Fleet Bank for its Small
Business Leadership Award. Known as a scholar and translator, she
produces new editions of choral music, teaches privately and often
appears as a clinician and guest speaker at choral workshops and
music festivals.
Deirdre DeAngelis-D'Alessio
Ms. DeAngelis-D'Alessio has been the principal of New Dorp High
School since March, 1999. Prior to her appointment, she held
positions of increasing responsibility in the public school system.
She has been an assistant principal of administration and
supervision, coordinator of a high-school special education
department, a special education teacher, a school aide and a FACTS
coordinator in high schools in Brooklyn and Staten Island.
She is a firm believer in providing students with the best possible
education and says the ideal learning environment is based on mutual
respect between teachers and students.
Eileen Kavanagh
Mrs. Kavanagh has worked at the Staten Island Advance since 1987.
She is responsible for coordinating two annual Sports All Star
dinners and the annual Advance Women of Achievement luncheons which
are attended by nearly 1,000 people.
In the aftermath of the World trade Center attack, the Advance was
called upon to act as a conduit for cash donations from Staten
Islanders who wanted help. When it was announced that the Advance
would establish the fund, more than 200 applications were received
and Mrs. Kavanagh dealt with every one of them. She spoke with, and
comforted, families, who, in their grief, didn't know where to turn.
Mrs. Kavanagh made the process work.
Sister Ann Woodford
For the past six years, Sister Ann Woodford has been executive
director of Amethyst House, a half-way house for women with
substance abuse problems. She oversees the nine-month program that
helps women focus on leading successful lives once they leave.
Prior to joining Amethyst House, Sister Ann worked in the foster
care system, including Angel Guardian Home in Brooklyn, Talbor
Perkins Services in Manhattan and Cardinal McCloskey Services in the
Bronx.
She has taught all grade levels from kindergarten through community
college.
Sister Ann is treasurer of the Coalition of Women Organizations. She
is a member of the Staten Island Council on Alcoholism and Substance
Abuse, the United Way executive committee and the Coalition of
Community Services. She is also on the board of advocates for
Services for the Blind Multiply-Handicapped and New Horizons.
Sister Ann recently celebrated her 25th anniversary as a member of
the Sisters of Charity of Halifax.
