Senator Cooney Presents Daisy Rivera Algarin With 2024 Women Of Distinction Award

(ROCHESTER, NY) - Today Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) announced Daisy Rivera Algarin as this year’s recipient of the “NYS Women of Distinction” Award. Senator Cooney explained that Daisy was selected due to her decades of work as a community servant bettering the Greater Rochester area, as well as for her focus on the Latina community. 

“Daisy has been a trailblazer for Rochester’s Latina community,” said Senator Cooney. “For decades she has put the needs of the community above all else and worked tirelessly to better the lives of her neighbors. She is very deserving of this special recognition and I am honored to name her as a woman of distinction in New York State.”

Daisy Rivera Algarin said, “Serving is one of the biggest privileges that has influenced my career and way of life; to be recognized for it makes it even more meaningful.”

Daisy was born in the Bronx and moved to Rochester in 1971. In 1993, she met with a group of Latina women in Rochester to discuss the lack of resources and Latina representation in local leadership positions. Along with this group, Daisy helped form Latinas Unidas, where she still sits on the board today. Latinas Unidas’ mission is “to foster opportunities that will promote unity, cultural identity and the presence of the Latina woman in the community; to encourage and motivate women to be self-confident to assume leadership roles to positively impact society.”

Beyond her work in Latinas Unidas, Daisy has dedicated her career to public service. She began working for the City of Rochester in 2000 as a Business Development Specialist. In 2017, she transitioned into her current role as Director of Neighborhood Service Centers (NSC), where she focuses on improving the quality of life for Rochester residents. Of her many achievements in this role, one she is most proud of is her work to help bring the long-discussed La Marketa on North Clinton Avenue to fruition. This international marketplace has helped to revitalize the surrounding Latino community. 

Daisy is also a board member for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, PathStone Enterprise, Regional Health Reach, Inc, the chair and founder of the Latina Woman Scholarship Fund, and co-chair of The Latino Giving Circle.

“Daisy Algarin is a longtime City employee who has dedicated many years to serving the community,” said Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans. “I am appreciative of her work engaging businesses and neighborhood organizations, and I thank Senator Cooney for this recognition.”

Dr. Myra Henry, President and CEO of YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County said, “We celebrate Daisy Rivera Algarin, a beacon of light and empowerment in our community. Her indelible mark is evident in her co-founding of Latinas Unidas and her tenure at various organizations, including YWCA. Daisy’s dedication to uplifting women fostered a sense of community and strength. As Daisy receives the NYS Senate Woman of Distinction, we honor not just her achievements, but her lasting impact on Rochester. Her legacy continues to inspire and empower us all. We express our heartfelt gratitude to Daisy for her remarkable commitment to YWCA Mission.”

Bill Johnson, Former Mayor of the City of Rochester said, “I had the honor to work with Daisy for years and saw firsthand her commitment to improving our city. She is extremely deserving of this high honor, and our community has greatly benefitted from her decades of public service.”

The Women of Distinction Award is given out each year, honoring women who have made outstanding contributions to the community. Each State Senator annually selects one individual to honor in recognition of their community advocacy. Honorees continue to lead the path toward progress for others, and are regarded as role models in their communities.

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