O'Mara welcomes Women's History Month with announcement of Senate's 2012 'Women of Distinction' program, seeks local nominations

Elmira, N.Y., March 1—As a kickoff to New York State’s celebration of Women’s History Month throughout March, Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) announced today that he is accepting nominations for the Senate's 15th annual "Women of Distinction" program to honor local women making outstanding contributions to area communities.

The deadline for submitting a nomination is Friday, April 6th.

"The ‘Woman of Distinction’ tribute is a meaningful recognition.  I look forward to this annual opportunity to recognize an outstanding area citizen," said O’Mara, whose 53rd Senate District encompasses all of Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben and Yates counties, and part of Tompkins County (the city and town of Ithaca, and the towns of Enfield, Newfield and Ulysses).

In 2011, his first year in the Senate, O’Mara honored Carol Berry of Hornell, a long-time regional library professional and currently director of the Dormann Library in Bath, as his inaugural “Woman of Distinction.”

The Senate's "Women of Distinction" program begins in March to coincide with a variety of Women's History Month celebrations in New York State.  In addition to the local nominating process, the Senate will also once again unveil, in mid-March, an historical exhibit in Albany paying tribute to "Women of Distinction" from throughout New York’s history.  This historical exhibit features notable New York women, past and present, including Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Eleanor Roosevelt and, since 2007, the career and life of astronaut and Elmira native Eileen M. Collins.  For the first time this year it will also include, as a result of a nomination O’Mara received last year, a tribute to Susan E. Hall, who was raised in the Tompkins County town of Ulysses and is recognized as one of the first women from New York State to be accepted as a nurse in the Civil War. She served in field hospitals on numerous Civil War battlefields, including Bull Run and Gettysburg.

[View the Senate's 2012 historical "Women of Distinction" exhibit.]

O’Mara and his Senate colleagues select one new “Woman of Distinction” honoree from their respective legislative districts each year.  This year’s honorees will be invited to an awards ceremony and reception in Albany on Tuesday, May 15th.

"We all know someone who makes an enormous difference to the community at large.  Whether she is a service provider, a teacher going above and beyond the call of duty, a businesswoman, or simply a community resident known for her good deeds, I'd like to see her recognized," said O’Mara.

Nominations must be returned to O’Mara’s office no later than Monday, April 2nd. 

E-mail your request for a nomination form.                    

Or download and print the attached nomination form below.