Seward Pays Tribute to 2017 Woman of Distinction

ALBANY, 05/09/17 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I/Ref-Oneonta) today honored Julie Dostal of Oneonta as the 2017 New York State Senate “Woman of Distinction” from the 51^st senate district.

“Over the years, I have been fortunate to highlight a number of inspirational, trailblazing leaders through the senate’s Women of Distinction program, and this year is no different,” said Senator Seward.  “Julie Dostal has made it her life’s work to help others and it has been my privilege to partner with her on a number of occasions.  Her drive and devotion are remarkable and the community at large is the beneficiary of her ongoing efforts.”

2017 Senate Woman of Distinction Julie Dostal said, “I am deeply honored to be recognized by Senator Seward as a 2017 Woman of Distinction.  Working with him over the years to help bring about positive change in our community has always been a pleasure.  It is overwhelming to be counted among the amazing, impactful women who have preceded me as Women of Distinction.  Many of them are still out there changing the world and I can only hope to do the same.” 

Julie Dostal, Ph.D., is the executive director of the LEAF Council on Alcoholism and Addictions and has been with the organization since 1998. She is also the chair of the Otsego County Opiate Task Force, actively working with agencies, businesses, healthcare organizations, and individuals to help stem the tide of our current opioid epidemic. 

Dostal teaches an upper level course on addiction at SUNY Oneonta in the Department of Human Ecology and is a New York State Master Trainer.  She has earned recognition and respect on the national stage.  She serves as the president of the Professional Association of Council Executives and is on the board of directors of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependencies (NCADD).   As a woman in long-term recovery, Dostal is especially proud of her work with NCADD, which was founded by one of the first women to go public about her sobriety through the 12-step movement.

Along with honoring the 2017 Women of Distinction during a special ceremony at the Capitol, the senate adopted a special resolution (J.2018) congratulating the honorees.

The senate's "Woman of Distinction" program was created in 1998 to honor New York women who exemplify personal excellence, or whose professional achievements or acts of courage, selflessness, integrity or perseverance serve as an example to all New Yorkers.

Previous winners in the annual event have included leading women from the worlds of business, academics and civic life, as well as those who have performed heroic or selfless acts, made significant discoveries or provided examples of personal excellence against difficult odds.

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