Yorktown’s Mandara and Smith named ‘Women of Distinction’

This article was updated on Friday, May 8 at 9:09 a.m.

Yorktown’s Annamaria Mandara and Cynthia Secor-Smith have both been recognized by Rep. Mike Lawler as Women of Distinction.

The two were among community leaders from the congressman’s 17th District who were feted at a recent ceremony held in Rockland County and further celebrated at the Yorktown Town Board meeting on Tuesday.

“My office and I hosted another fantastic Women of Distinction event, an opportunity to honor over three dozen outstanding women from across our district who are making a difference in their communities every day,” Lawler said in a Facebook post, adding that “their leadership, service, and dedication embody the very best of the Hudson Valley.”

Annamaria Mandara

Annamaria Mandara is a tireless advocate and community volunteer across the veterans and special needs communities. She devotes much of her time to GiGi’s Playhouse Westchester, VFW Post 8328 in Yorktown Heights, the Yorktown Grange, and works under Diana Quast in the town clerk’s office.

Mandara was nominated by Town Supervisor Ed Lachterman. 

“I am often asked, ‘why do you do so much? You're always volunteering. How do you find the time?’,” Mandara said at the May 5 Town Board meeting. “I do what I do because I genuinely love to make a difference.”

She added that “more importantly, I do it because 100 percent of the time my daughter is right there with me” and she wants her to always know that “her voice matters, actions matter, and that she can do absolutely everything, anything, and everything she sets her mind to.”

She called it “humbling” to be nominated alongside who she called “strong” and “powerful” women who really make their communities better. She’s proud and grateful to her daughter.

“Gianna, thank you for helping me grow, teaching me to be resilient and believing in me even when I struggle to believe in myself,” she said.

Cynthia Secor-Smith

Cynthia Secor-Smith was recognized for her work as the director of operations for St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry—one of three food pantries in town—and with Yorktown’s Food Security Task Force. She also works as the executive assistant in the supervisor’s office.

Smith was nominated by Lawler’s District Director Donna Chiapperino. 

“I think that everybody that lives in Yorktown thinks that we live in a wonderful community, and a wealthy community,” Smith said. “They don't realize that over 700 households in the town of Yorktown live below the poverty level, and over 3,000 households in the town of Yorktown live below the ALICE level—people who are above the poverty level, but do not make enough money.”

The three pantries serve over 450 families each week—around 1,300 to 1,800 people, according to Smith. Recently there has been an influx of people who are union workers, Smith said, adding that about 95 percent of those who come to the pantry do have an income.

Lachterman said that Smith dedicates so much time to this work. It’s a weekly commitment. He also cited the aid of corporate donors and the many community organizations that contribute to the pantry to help keep it going.