We’re proud to say that Brooklyn women are a cut above the rest.
More than two dozen of the borough’s prominent females were formally honored for their work and service when Community Newspaper Group and Courier Life Publications held its third annual Brooklyn Women of Distinction awards ceremony at the El Caribe Country Club in Mill Basin on June 12.
The accolades capped our 2013 Brooklyn Women of Distinction magazine, which came out last month and commemorated 25 honorees, who represented all levels of the workforce — from executives, entrepreneurs, and preservationists, to activists, volunteers, and social service employees.
Several of the women — nominated by their peers and selected by independent judges — were chosen for their smart response in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Some mobilized urgent recovery efforts in their communities, while others pitched in to help clean up and deliver vital supplies to devastated areas.
One Coney Island activist rushed to help her neighbors, as a 15-foot wall of water gushed into her own apartment.
Another awardee — a waste management executive — helped to remove 22 tons of debris from the shattered Rockaways.
Yet another honoree availed her beauty salon for complimentary, morale-boosting makeovers.
The other local celebrity in the room was Brooklyn, itself.
Borough President Markowitz joined the evening’s keynote speaker — Brooklyn-born, NY 1 reporter Jeanine Ramirez — in tooting the borough’s horn proudly, both of them calling it a world-class destination.
Markowitz recanted a recent visit to Williamsburg — once prime sirloin for undesirables — where he said he was astonished to see “bus-loads of Japanese tourists” exploring the lively streets.
“I said to myself, ‘What is going on?’ ” chuckled Mr. Brooklyn, adding he also drew attention in the hipster enclave for his “one-colored hair” and absence of body ink.
Markowitz presented each awardee and CNG with proclamations, and declared June 12, “Brooklyn Women of Distinction Day.”
Ramirez, who grew up in Sunset Park, spoke about the “Manhattanization of Brooklyn,” and called the honorees the “building blocks” of a borough on the rise.
The ceremony was coordinated by Courier and CNG executive staff Stephanie Stellaccio, Celia Weintrob, Jennifer Stern, Jeannie Eisenhardt, Carol Magluilo, and Sara DaSilva.
Attendees included Les Goodstein, senior vice president of News Corp., CNG publisher Clifford Luster, and Ralph D’Onofrio, vice president of advertising at CNG and the New York Post.
Check out our 2013 Women of Distinction magazine at www.brooklynpaper.com/women-of-distinction
