Schneiderman To Issue Proclamation To 'Woman Of Distinction'

Montauk - Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman (I-Montauk) will honor Shirley Katz of Montauk with a proclamation for being selected by the Suffolk County Women's Advisory Commission as the countywide "Woman of Distinction" for 2010 at the next Suffolk County Legislature's General meeting on March 2, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. Riverhead County Center.

January of each year Suffolk County Legislators select a "Woman of Distinction" who resides in his or her respective Legislative District. By selecting a Woman of Distinction from each County Legislative District, the County is acknowledging and recognizing the contributions of all women to advance our county and our state. The Suffolk County Women's Advisory Commission selects a county wide "Woman of Distinction" in February from the eighteen honorees selected in each county. When chosen the individual will be honored at the March meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature meeting.

Katz is a professional business woman and a compassionate humanitarian who has extended herself to assist others within her local community for over 70 years. She worked with many organizations including pre-school nursery, PTA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, library programs, town soup kitchens, the American Cancer Society, Concerned Citizens for Montauk, Montauk Youth, the Montauk Artists' Association, Jewish Center of the Hamptons; along with many other groups over the years.

Upon retirement, Katz and her husband moved to Montauk full time and volunteered at The Retreat in East Hampton. Following a six week program to recognize domestic violence and make appropriate referrals, Katz began to answer The Retreat's domestic violence hotline. Katz did such a wonderful job as a volunteer at The Retreat that they offered her a paid position as an administrative assistant. Each week, on one of her days off, she volunteers to work the register at The Retreat's thrift store at the Bridgehampton Commons.

Katz is a woman truly worthy of the day's honor and the everlasting gratitude of Suffolk County.