Senator Gianaris Announces Maritza Munoz as 2018 Senate Woman of Distinction

ASTORIA, N.Y. – Senator Michael Gianaris announced Maritza Munoz as his 2018 selection for the New York State Senate Woman of Distinction award. Maritza Munoz is the Director of Housing Services at Woodside on the Move.

“Maritza Munoz is a great leader in our community who is never afraid to fight for the needs of New York’s tenants,” said Senator Michael Gianaris. “Her tenacity and dedication make us stronger and I am pleased to select her to be a 2018 Woman of Distinction.”

"I have spent my career working to make the lives of my neighbors better, from the students I taught to my neighbors in Woodside. Our community has so much potential and, when good people work together, we can unleash the power of our neighborhoods," said Maritza Munoz. "I am honored to join the 2018 Women of Distinction and I thank Senator Michael Gianaris for this recognition."

Maritza is the Director of Housing Services at Woodside on the Move, where she has worked since 2008. She leads departmental strategy around affordable housing. Since joining Woodside on the Move, Maritza has launched a Housing Legal Clinic with a retired judge of the New York City Civil Court/Housing Part. She also launched a Walk-in Legal Counseling program in partnership with Jewish Association Serving the Aging (JASA) and Queens Legal Services. She leads Know Your Rights workshops, developed case management programs, organized tenants, facilitated landlord-tenant mediation, and trained tenant leaders.

Maritza Munoz is an alumna of University of Guayaquil-Ecuador. For five years prior to working in the non-profit sector, she worked as a teacher for elementary, middle and high school students in Guayaquil-Ecuador.

The Women of Distinction program is part of the Senate’s ongoing celebration of women’s history throughout the year. Honorees from across the state will gather for a reception recognizing their achievement in Albany on May 1, 2018. Each honoree’s photograph and biography will be part of an exhibit in the Capitol. Last year, Senator Gianaris recognized Elizabeth Lusskin, president of the Long Island City partnership.

A high-resolution photo of Maritza Munoz is available for download here: https://bit.ly/2GBa5ha. 

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