Senator Breslin Honors Rev. Debra Jameson for the Senate's Annual "Women of Distinction" Program

The Senate's 'Women of Distinction" program provides a special opportunity to honor women throughout our State.  The program was created as part of the Senate's celebration of Women's History Month.  "There are remarkable women in out midst whose lives, work or special accomplishments contribute to making our communities better, making our families stronger and serve as special examples to others," stated Senator Breslin. "I am honored to name Rev. Debra Jameson  as my 2012 'Women of Distrinction' recipient."

Rev. Debra Jameson, an ordained minister in the Reformed Church of America since 1982, has served as a rural parish pastor in the Catskill towns of Shokan, and Mt. Tremper, and in the urban setting of NYC.  Over the years her journey has taken her beyond the church walls to ministries including ecumenical consult for Project Hospitality (Staten Island), and for the
Reformed Church Synod of NY in Brooklyn, Richmond, Rockland, and Westchester counties.

Debra moved to the Albany area in 1996 and became involved strengthening the connection between faith communities, advocates and service providers. She joined the staff of the Hunger Action Network of NYS serving as development coordinator and faith community liaison, co-creating the NYS Faith and Hunger Network.

For the last 13 years Debra has worked with the FOCUS Churches of Albany as Executive Director, providing leadership to a consortium of downtown Albany congregations that work together to make this corner of the world a more compassionate and just place for all people, especially the poor and marginalized living in the city. FOCUS utilizes over 150 volunteers in the operation of emergency feeding and outreach programs. (focuschurches.net)

Debra serves as Co-president of the Capital Region Ecumenical Organization, and as a Board Member of the Hunger Action Network of New York State.