Senator Jose Peralta Honors Cristina Furlong of Make Queens Safer with the New York’s Women of Distinction Award

State Senator Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) recognized Cristina Furlong, a founding member of Make Queens Safer, with a Women of Distinction 2015 award given by the New York State Senate during its 18^th annual award celebration. Senator Peralta gave Ms. Furlong the distinction during the event held Tuesday evening at the Capitol in Albany. A reception followed the ceremony.   

“Ms. Furlong has worked tirelessly to advocate for pedestrian safety and to fight against reckless driving,” Senator Peralta said. “Ms. Furlong and her group, Make Queens Safer, have been and continue to be relentless in their efforts to make our streets safer for New Yorkers.”

The Senator added, “This is a great opportunity to honor Ms. Furlong for her exemplary service to our community, our borough, our city, and our state. She and her group deserve the utmost  recognition.”

“I am thrilled to be selected as a 2015 Woman of Distinction by State Senator Peralta. On behalf of my group, Make Queens Safer,  it is an honor not just for us, but for advocates for social change in any arena,” Ms. Furlong said.

The honoree noted, “All civic action comes first from engaging with communities, and Senator Peralta has always been responsive to and proactive with the people of the 13^th Senate District. Like the women honored in previous years, my commitment to the community will remain strong and rooted by the fact that our community deserves safe streets for all.”

Make Queens Safer was formed in 2013 after three children were killed by reckless drivers in less than 10 months in Jackson Heights. The organization works with schools and community groups to provide more street safety education.

Ms. Furlong began her volunteer work after the 9/11 attacks. She has also been a Big Sister in the Big Brothers/Big Sister of New York City. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Film and Media Studies from Hunter College of the City University of New York 

The Women of Distinction award honors outstanding women from the district whose contributions enrich the quality of life in the community. The program was created by the Senate in 1998.