Assemblyman Stirpe Recognizes Outstanding Women at 3rd Annual Women of Distinction Awards

In honor of Women’s History Month, Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) hosted his 3rd Annual Women of Distinction Awards. The ceremony, held on March 28 at the Fayetteville Village Hall, honored four outstanding women and two promising students in the 127th Assembly District. This year’s honorees included Virginia “Ginger” Denny, Board President of GRACE’s; Patricia Donnelly, two-term President of the Nurse Practitioner Association of New York State; Jessica Falgiatano, Paramedic with Mercy Flight Medical Helicopter and SWAT Nurse at University Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit; and Heather Gangemi, volunteer firefighter and scientist for Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Oncology Pharmaceutical Division. “The Women of Distinction Awards gives us a platform to recognize and applaud these remarkable women for making Central New York a better place to live,” said Assemblyman Stirpe. “This year’s honorees all have one thing in common – they have dedicated their careers and their lives to advocating, educating and providing critical care to patients throughout our community.” In addition to this year’s honorees, Assemblyman Stirpe also recognized the winners of the 3rd Annual Women of Distinction Essay Contest: Alexandra Patton, a 7th grade student at Chestnut Hill Middle School, and Katie Lindsley, an 11th grade student at East Syracuse-Minoa Central High School. “Central New York has a long history of exceptional women who have achieved personal and professional excellence,” said Assemblyman Stirpe. “I'm honored to have the opportunity to thank these women who have made a real difference in our community.”

photoAssemblyman Stirpe hosts the 3rd annual Women of Distinction Awards on March 28 at the Fayetteville Village Hall.
photoAssemblyman Stirpe presents Patricia Donnelly with a proclamation in recognition of her achievements