13 Freeport women to be honored Friday

The Village of Freeport is holding a celebration to honor Women's History Month Friday at the Freeport Recreation Center.

They plan to honor 13 women who are “very involved in the Freeport community,” including business owners, doctors, and those who feed the homeless, said Lamou Keita, director of public relations for Freeport.

The event recognizes women who exhibit excellence, commitment, strength, dedication and “have had an impact on the Freeport community,“ Keita said.

The celebration will include an awards ceremony, entertainment, vocal performances and light refreshments.

“I really believe that it is good to lift people up whenever we can, we don't do enough of it,” Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick said. “We have to celebrate one another, we have to make it important and make it special. It's good to embrace people and thank them and say they are special. This keeps things positive and at the end of the day you have a better community.“

The event begins at 6 p.m. at 130 E. Merrick Rd. Admission is free and all are welcome.

The following women will be recognized: Susan Axelrod, CEO of Love and Quiches business in Freeport; Soh Yong Lee Segredo, singer and founding member and director of the Multicultural Peace Mission Choir; Donna Ceravolo, executive director and CEO of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County; Renee Crump-Dedmon, principal of New Visions School of Freeport; and Marnie Katzman, executive director of the Long Island Arts Council of Freeport.

The other awardees are: Cynthia Krieg, longtime trustee of the Freeport Historical Society and Village of Freeport historian; U.S. Army Lt. Col. Marie Houanche, trilingual registered nurse, educator and activist and lecturer; Ann Jackson, a youth leader; Barbara Jacgnow, one of the last clam diggers, lifelong Freeport resident and business owner; Carol Mackey, editor in chief of Black Expressions book club; Pamela Robinson, a community activist who serves those in need; Belle Sylvester, a leader in the development of the Freeport Community Concert Association; and Dr. Perla Tate, an ob-gyn in Freeport.

“It's good for people to lift one another up; that's really what we should be doing for people,“ Hardwick said.