Susan Boudreau, 2011 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction

State Senator Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District, Babylon) honored Susan Boudreau of Bay Shore as a 2011 New York State Senate “Woman of Distinction” at the State Capitol on May 24, 2011.   The Senate honored distinguished women from throughout the state at an Albany reception, where each honoree's photograph and biography became part of a special exhibit proclaiming the contributions of exemplary New York women.

Senator Johnson explained that the Senate’s Women of Distinction program was created as part of the Senate’s celebration of Women’s History Month. The program, which started in 1998, honors exceptional achievement, personal excellence and outstanding, courageous and heroic actions on the part of individual women from all across the State.

 
“Susan Boudreau is an incredible woman whose tireless work and commitment to serving her community has made a difference in so many lives,” said Senator Johnson.   “I am truly pleased to honor her as a New York State Senate Woman of Distinction.”

Graduating Cum Laude from Dowling College where she was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi, Susan Boudreau went on to teach in the Patchogue-Medford and Bay Shore School Districts for over 29 years.  As an educator, Mrs. Boudreau’s skills and dedication touched the lives of all her students, helping them make academic and social progress.
Mrs. Boudreau has been a quintessential part in her Bay Shore community, focusing her efforts on its revitalization.  Committed to serving her community, Mrs. Boudreau oversees the organization of the Winter Fest, Pumpkin Fest and Light the Night.  She is also an active member of the prestigious Bay Shore-Brightwaters Summit Council and, since 1999, the President of the Bay Shore Beautification Society.  
Under her leadership, the Beautification Society builds town gardens, hangs 520 town baskets of geraniums spring through fall, raises funds and hires workers to maintain Main Street, turning a formerly down-trodden shopping district into a place of beauty.  She was a driving force behind the construction of the Bay Shore Community Reflection Garden, raising over $250,000 to turn a blighted lot on Bay Shore’s Main Street into a two-tier memorial garden.  Mrs. Boudreau is also on the boards of the Evelyn Blose Holman Education Foundation and the Federated Garden Clubs of NYS Second District.

A Who’s Who of American Teachers, Mrs. Boudreau has received many wonderful honors including the Suffolk County Community Leader 2011 Award and the Scope Educational Award for her contributions to the education of the children in the Bay Shore Union Free School District.  Additionally, she has received a citation for community service from State Senator Zeldin, special recognition from the Bay Shore Board of Education for dedicated service to the schools and the community, and numerous Islip Town citations for her outstanding service to the community.

Susan and her husband, Henry, of 49 years have one son, Matt, who with his wife Colleen, have an 11-year-old daughter, Caitlin.

Senator Johnson is pictured with Susan Boudreau at the Women of Distinction Award Ceremony held in Albany on May 24, 2011.  New York State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos is looking on.