Quartet of North Salem residents recognized for community service

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - A whole stage-full of “amazing” women gathered in New Castle recently to receive their well-deserved “Women of Distinction” awards from state Assemblymember Chris Burdick, (D-Bedford).

Among the 37 honorees were North Salem’s Suzannah Glidden, Susan Lucas, Nzingha Milanes, and Camelia “Camie” Peña Rivera.

Here are their glowing introductions – complete with praise from the folks who nominated them – as composed by the 93rd A.D. lawmaker’s intrepid communications director, Jacqueline Mishler, and voiced by Burdick at the June 23 ceremony in the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center.

New Castle town Supervisor Victoria Tipp said it was "an honor to host this very special event recognizing these remarkable women who are making an impact in their communities."

She thanked Burdick for his efforts to recognize folks "who work tirelessly and quietly, often behind the scenes, and (who) are the foundation of so much community progress."

Glidden

Suzannah has been a champion in the environmental community in District 93 and beyond.

Suzannah worked tirelessly on the campaign to ban fracking in New York State and then continued to work on a campaign to ban fracking wastewater from being spread on County roads, a bill passed by the Westchester County Board of Legislators.

Suzannah was a co-founder of Stop the Algonquin Pipeline Expansion and worked to oppose the expansion of the AIM pipeline beginning in 2013

Suzannah has also been involved for many years in opposing nuclear power and worked with a coalition of groups to pass the Save the Hudson Bill, which prohibits dumping of radioactive waste in the Hudson River from the Indian Point site that is currently being decommissioned.

A moral person who believes in peace, justice and equality for all, Suzannah has also been very involved in criminal justice reform.

Says Susan Van Dolsen, who nominated her: “Suzannah is a role model for all residents of District 93.”

Lucas

After her middle child was diagnosed with an intellectual and developmental disability, Susan Lucas dedicated her life to disability advocacy.

Susan has been involved with The Arc New York for over 20 years, an organization that promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community.

Susan sat on the board of directors of Putnam Arc for almost 15 years and served as president for six. She now serves as president of the board for Mid-Hudson Arc, as well as regional vice president for the Capital-Hudson Valley-Adirondack Region, which runs from Putnam County to the Canadian border.

I am proud to say that Susan is also a valued member of my own People with Disabilities Advisory Committee, which provides me with invaluable help in my work on disability legislation and issues.

In addition to her work with the disabilities community, Susan serves as president of the North Salem Lions Club.

Says Nzingha Milanes who nominated her:  “Words cannot do this distinctive lady justice.”

Milanes

Nzingha Milanes has demonstrated dedicated leadership and service in her community, both in North Salem and beyond.

At the town level, Nzingha has been a member of the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals for more than nine years, was an inaugural member of the town’s Climate Smart Community Leadership Committee and was a member of the town’s Police Reform & Reinvention Task Force.

As the chair of the North Salem Republican Town Committee, she created the committee’s scholarship program for graduating high school seniors and its internship program to introduce local students to government and public service. The committee also distributes pocket Constitutions to students, helping to ensure that young people understand the foundations of our democracy. 

Nzingha also serves as the director of communications for the Putnam County Republican Women’s Club.

An advocate for voting rights, Nzingha is a member of the nominating committees for the Westchester County League of Women Voters, as well as the League of Women Voters of Northeast Westchester.

Most recently, she was named to the board of the Schoolhouse Theater, Westchester’s oldest, longest-running professional theater, based out of the North Salem Community Center in Croton Falls.

Says her nominator, Mary Molina: “Nzingha is a force of nature. She is a woman who leads with both passion and purpose, touching the lives of so many through her dedication to service.”

Peña Rivera

Camelia “Camie” Peña Rivera, CEO of CPR Real Estate Group at Re/Max DHP, is an entrepreneur and businesswoman who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to her community.

Camie is a board member of the Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and is active with The Hispanic Wealth Project, a non-profit established by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals with the goal of financially and educationally empowering the Hispanic community in America. An NAHREP 10 Certified Trainer, Camie is a mentor and leader within her community, helping friends, families, and clients create a roadmap for economic prosperity and the building of generational wealth.

Camie is also co-founder of INSPIRA, a group designed to Inspire Real Estate Industry Professionals looking to grow and work together to become the very best version of themselves.

And last, but certainly not least, Camie sits on the board of Yo Digo No Más, a nonprofit leading a global movement to raise awareness about the high number of cases of sexual violence affecting children, with a special focus on Latino communities.

Says her nominator, Nicole Shambre: “Camie consistently goes above and beyond to support local initiatives, sponsor events, and lend her expertise to aspiring entrepreneurs. She leads with integrity, compassion, and vision. Camie exemplifies what it means to be a woman of distinction in business, and she is a role model for future generations.”