In a ceremony last week commemorating Women’s History Month, Assemblyman Mike Miller honored six “Women of Distinction” for all that they do in the communities that he serves. From Woodhaven, both JoAnn Bartos and Patti Eggers were honored; both of them were very recently honored by the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association as “Woman of the Year” and their honors are well deserved.

Here is video of the ceremony:

JoAnn Bartos is a beloved figure at the Catholic Charities’ Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Senior Center, operating out of the American Legion. She can be found there each and every weekday, leading the seniors in activities and working in the kitchen to serve meals. Bartos is very enthusiastic about the center and all of the possibilities it offers the seniors in the community. “It’s important for seniors to get out of the house,” she says, noting that the center keeps them active and busy.

As noted by Miller (and having had the privilege to watch her in action I can confirm), Bartos has been a wonderful spokesperson for the seniors. When the center was forced to relocate due to the collapsed building next to the ambulance corps, she spoke passionately about the seniors’ frustrations over the ongoing mess, both at rallies and on the news.

Eggers is someone I have had the privilege to work alongside over the past few years, notably during the ongoing restoration of the Wyckoff-Snedicker cemetery on 96th Street and 86th Avenue, behind All Saints Church. She is a teacher at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Academy on 87th Street and her passion for local history has excited and enthused her students, who formed the STA Woodhaven History Club, and whose hard work has helped transform the cemetery from an eyesore to an eye opener.

But beyond the hard work of cutting down weeds and turning the soil, Eggers has worked with the students as they have researched the history of those founding families that are buried in our cemetery, and is working with them to make the information they have gathered accessible to all.

The skills her students are learning now will serve them well in the future, teaching them not only to be inquisitive but also to be good citizens and generous to their community. She is helping build a better tomorrow through the eyes of our youth here in Woodhaven.

The

Lourdes Ventura, who last year became the first Latina elected as president of the Queens County Womens Bar Association. Ventura is also involved in several local civic organizations and, as noted by Miller, has a lengthy list of awards and accomplishments.

Assemblyman Miller had a plaque for each honoree as well as certificates from other elected officials. He also gave flowers to each honoree.

Patt Grayson has been involved in numerous educational endeavors, both in schools and in libraries, and has also worked with the Department of Sanitation to educate people on recycling, earning the nickname “The Recycling Lady.”

Detective Brenda Reddick, a 14-year veteran of the NYPD who started a program dealing with truants that improved the relationship between police and youths in her precinct.

There were a lot of friends and family in attendance. Here, Ms. Ventura stands beside her two sons.

Capt. Schiff of the 104 Precinct shares his thoughts on the good work by Detective Brenda Reddick.

There were smiles all around - it's good to have these kinds of ceremonies, to take a few moments to acknowledge the good work by someone.

The Assemblyman and Detective Brenda Reddick and her fellow officers.

The two Woodhaven Women of Distinction joined by some of Patti Eggers students from St. Thomas the Apostle.

Detective Brenda Reddick was joined by her family who were all smiles!

If you have any comments, or would like to suggest other projects, drop us a line at info@projectwoodhaven.com or projectwoodhaven@aol.com 

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Photos by Joey Wendell