NHP Woman Recognized For Service To North Hempstead Community

NEW HYDE PARK, NY — Thirteen Long Island women — including one from New Hyde Park — were recently recognized for their contributions to the Town of North Hempstead.

Since 1994, North Hempstead has held the Women's Roll of Honor breakfast to recognize women who have contributed to their community or have accomplished a significant achievement through public or private efforts, officials said. The Women's Roll of Honor is named after the late May W. Newburger, who served as the Town's supervisor from 1994 to 2003.

"The Town is proud to honor these outstanding women for their incredible service to North Hempstead," said Town Clerk Wayne Wink. "Each of these women reflects the best that our communities have to offer, and we are proud to honor them for their work."

The honorees for the 28th annual May W. Newburger Women's Roll of Honor are:

• Dr. Farhana Huda Islam, New Hyde Park
• Dr. Margaret Ballantyne-Mannion, Mineola
• Lynn Capuano, Port Washington
• Pam O'Connell, Port Washington
• Kira Bryant, Westbury
• Traci Caines, Westbury
• Ellen Fox, Sands Point
• Carolina Guardado, Westbury
• Diane Harragan, Manhasset
• Ann Marie Hradek, Albertson
• Dianne Karl, Williston Park
• Rosa Stein, Manhasset
• Ann Tountas, Manhasset Hills

Dr. Farhana Huda Islam is the digital strategist and creative director of Muslims for Progress, a grassroots organization that works to shift the public's perception of the Muslim community through education and outreach.

Through her leadership, Islam has helped increase civic involvement in local elections and has focused her efforts on increasing voter engagement of historically marginalized communities, according to the New York Senate. She also successfully pushed for Sewanhaka Central High School District to close schools on Eid Holidays.

In addition, Islam serves as chair of the Long Island Progressive Coalition and mentors young aspiring chefs through private lessons from her cooking series "BinysKitchen."

"North Hempstead has no shortage of inspirational women who have made a tremendous impact on our communities," said Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth. "We are fortunate to induct this new class into the Women's Roll of Honor and celebrate their achievements as part of our North Hempstead family."

Video footage from the event will premiere on NHTV channel 18 or 63 on Cablevision and channel 46 on Verizon FIOS beginning on Monday, June 28. It will air daily at 4 p.m. this week. The event can also be watched online by visiting www.mynhtv.com or the Town's YouTube page.