Montauk - On March 2, Legislator Jay Schneiderman (I-Montauk) and Suffolk County Legislature honored Shirley Katz of Montauk with a proclamation for being selected by the Suffolk County Women's Advisory Commission as the countywide "Woman of Distinction."

In January of each year, Suffolk County Legislators select a "Woman of Distinction" who resides in their Legislative District. The Suffolk County Women's Advisory Commission then selects a county wide "Woman of Distinction" in February from the 18 honorees selected in each county. This year, Shirley Katz from the second legislative district, has been selected for this countywide distinction.

Katz was honored last month with a lifetime achievement from the Long Island Volunteer Hall of Fame. Her biography is replete with numerous instances of her community spanning a 70 year period.

Katz is a professional businesswoman and a compassionate humanitarian who has worked with many organizations including pre-school nursery, PTA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, library programs, soup kitchens, the American Cancer Society, environmental organizations, youth programs, cultural and artistic associations to name a few. Upon retirement, Katz and her husband moved to the East End where she volunteered at The Retreat in East Hampton. Today at age 84, Katz continues to volunteer for The Retreat and other community organizations.

In continued recognition of her outstanding service, the Suffolk County Legislature honors Shirley Katz, as the 2010 "Woman of Distinction".

"Both personally and on behalf of the residents of Suffolk County, I would like to express my warmest congratulations to Shirley Katz," said Legislator Schneiderman "She is a woman truly worthy of the day's honor and the everlasting gratitude of Suffolk County."