staten island advance.

for women of achivevement, hats off.
42nd annual women of achievement luncheon recognizes exceptional commitment to community and service.
11.21.2003

The ladies who make up the 2003 Advance Women of Achievement wear many different hats: caregiver, mother, advocate, volunteer, educator, motivator and friend, to name just a few.

Yesterday, 1,000 grateful Islanders tipped their own hats in salute of their remarkable work.

And this year's class deserved no less. Susan Bernstein, Gemma M. Caramante, Patricia Farrington, Wendy Pellegrino, Joanne Reese and Carmen Serrano Siconolfi have all earned, in abundance, the right to call themselves achievers with a capital "A."

They fight for resources for kids with diabetes; they provide children with homes, love and activities that will keep them off the street; they offer care to the dying, comfort to the grieving, and hope for under-served sections of our community.

In short, their hats say "I care," and yesterday, Staten Islanders of all stripes - politicians, civic leaders, community officials, family and friends alike - came to the Advance Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield, to say, "Thank you."

"Each of these women has worked hard for our community. Each of them has given above and beyond the call of duty," said Caroline Harrison, general manager of the Advance, who gave opening remarks on behalf of her father, Richard E. Diamond, the newspaper's publisher, who is suffering from the flu. "Each of these women is deserving of the title of Woman of Achievement."

HUMILITY RUNS DEEP

Not if you ask them. Ms. Caramante, who admitted early in the luncheon that she was "so excited I don't know whether I'm coming or going," refused to believe at first that she had been selected for the honor.

"Who are these judges?" she asked when told about the award.

"None of the women think they really deserve it," said 1973 Woman of Achievement Faith Grannis, an 81-year-old who yesterday celebrated her 30th anniversary of being honored. "When I received the award I said, 'I have to work very hard to deserve this.' "

Causing a stir among guests and honorees alike was another high-achieving woman - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) - who took a brief break from her legislative duties to deliver the keynote address. The senator was mobbed at every turn by well-wishers. She spent most of her time on the dais signing copies of her book, "Living History," for those who lined up down the center of the ballroom.

'THE RIGHT THING TO DO'

"To recognize these six women and give them visibility and public accolades that their work deserves is very moving to me, because that's not why they did it," she said during the cocktail hour. "They did it because they thought it was the right thing to do, and I think we need those moments to stop and say thank you to people like this."

"She's a beautiful lady," said Jamila Lewis, 8-year-old daughter of 2002 Woman of Achievement, Julie Moody Lewis. "One day she might be president." Ms. Lewis brings her children to the luncheon every year; they love dressing up, and she loves giving them exposure to such positive role models.

"It's a day they never forget," she said. "They have a lot of excellent examples in this room."

The invocation and closing prayer were delivered by Rev. Dr. Victor A. Brown, pastor of Mount Sinai Unived Christian Church, Tompkinsville. Music was provided by Carmine Giovinazzo.

Attendees called the event joyous, chatting happily while gobbling Merlot-soaked chicken and butternut squash-flavored mashed potatoes. But many commented that a somber and emotional element emerged.

Mrs. Harrison noted in her opening remarks that perilous times weigh heavy on our social consciousness, presenting us with challenges that were once thought unimaginable.

"We shall and must meet these challenges both as a nation and as a community," she said. "We are blessed to live in a community that values caring and service. May the spirit that we celebrate today be a beacon for all to see and live by."

When current Miss Staten Island Sarah Madej led the crowd in a shiver-inducing rendition of "God Bless America," couples could be seen holding hands and swaying to the music; some even wiped away tears.

Ms. Clinton nodded her head in time and pronounced herself blown away by the performance, then delivered a personal and poised address in which she demonstrated a breezy familiarity with each Woman of Achievement's stories. She thanked the Advance for taking time out to focus on the good.

"Every place has women like these, but not every place is wise enough to stop and honor them," she said.

This year's honorees were chosen by a panel of judges that included past Women of Achievement Lucille Chazanoff (1994), retired Assemblywoman Elizabeth A. Connelly (1985), Sylvia Moody D'Alessandro (1998), Susan Lamberti (1986), Jane Lyons (1967), Gladys Schweiger (1978), Rev. Terry Troia (1989) and Beatrice Victor (1980), as well as retired Richmond County Surrogate Charles D'Arrigo.

TEARS OF JOY

After the keynote address, Advance Editor Brian J. Laline introduced each Woman of Achievement, detailing one touching story after another. Wendy Pellegrino, listening to Laline recount her arduous and emotional work piecing together the Sept. 11, 2001, memorial garden now known as Angel's Circle, had to dab at her eyes with a tissue.

"This tiny piece of America became a focal point for so many hurting every moment of their lives," Laline said.

When Joanne Reese was presented with her award, at least two of her 10 children cried tears of joy.

"[The event] captures the spirit of what these women do," said Alberta Brescia, regional vice president for the Staten Island branch of the American Cancer Society. "I almost had a spiritual experience myself." Yet there was still plenty of room for all the fun-loving antics that a festive, celebratory atmosphere brings.

In keeping with the hats-off tone of the event, the table centerpieces were fanciful hat-racks, hung with posh ladies' headware to signify feminine sophistication and elegance.

During his introduction of Ms. Caramante, Laline shared the rumor that she and honoree Pat Farrington threatened to break Assemblyman Mike Cusick's (D-Mid-Island) legs if he didn't show up to the ceremony. (Cusick was there.)

"It's not often you hear of a Woman of Achievement threatening to break legs," Laline said. "Unless, of course, she's out there fund-raising."

When all was said and done and the women were filing out, some with new hat-racks safely tucked under their arms, Thomasina Williams, a 2000 Woman of Achievement, put a cap on the entire affair.

"Hats off," she said. "Hats off to all the women."