Thomasina Laidley-Brown

Thomasina Laidley-Brown has been an active resident of Ossining, New York, for well over three decades, dedicating her time and energies to helping her community. She continues to have a positive impact within her community to this day.

Born and raised on Long Island, Ms. Laidley-Brown moved to the community of Ossining in the mid 1980s. In addition to caring for and managing her own children, she quickly became known throughout the community for her willingness and availability to help other families in need. At times, she even served as an emergency babysitter.

Ms. Laidley-Brown strengthened her ties to the community through her involvement with the Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church of Ossining. For several years, she has been active with the church, having served as a Pastor’s Aide and playing an active role in the church’s soup kitchen.

As a trustee with The Cooperative Scholarship Fund, Ms. Laidley-Brown and her colleagues work to provide several scholarships per year to local African American high school graduates who are pursuing college degrees. Additionally, she continues to stay tied to her community through her direct involvement with her local, county and state political parties.

Ms. Laidley-Brown has worked to bring attention to the need for increased training and safety measures for individuals looking to obtain boat licenses. After the loss of her grandson, Bryan Johnson, in a tragic boating accident, she began determined advocacy to strengthen boating safety laws in New York State. In 2013, as a result of her advocacy efforts, New York State signed into law a bill requiring boat operators to complete training courses and meet boating safety requirements before obtaining a boating license.

Ms. Laidley-Brown resides in New York, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Appropriately, during her birthday celebration in Westchester this past fall, she was named the “Grandmother of the Doubletree Inn of Tarrytown.”