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Senator Bruno unveiled the fifth annual "Women of Distinction" exhibit in the "Well" of the Legislative Office Building in Albany. |
"Women of Distinction" Exhibit Marks Six-month Anniversary of World Trade Center Disaster
Monday, March 11, 2002
Exactly six months after terrorists destroyed New York City�s World Trade Center, the state Senate today unveiled a Women�s History Month exhibit honoring courageous women who lost their lives saving others in the disaster.
The fifth annual "Women of Distinction" exhibit, which recounts the contributions of great women in New York�s history, is set to be displayed through March 15 in the "Well" of the Legislative Office Building in Albany. There is no fee for viewing the exhibit. Click here to visit the "Women of Distinction" on-line exhibit.
In addition to featuring women leaders in education, science, arts, government, law, labor and social reform, the exhibit will include a tribute to three women in the emergency services who lost their lives in the World Trade Center attack.
"These women who died in selfless service to others on Sept. 11th are shining examples of the very best in our state," said Senator Bruno (R-C, Brunswick). "Even more remarkable than their efforts on that fateful day, however, are some of the other achievements of their tragically too-short lives that serve as an inspiration to all girls, women and indeed, every citizen of New York."
"The example and sacrifice of these heroic, selfless women are precisely what we sought to honor and commemorate by creating the �Women of Distinction� program," said Senator Mary Lou Rath (R-C, Williamsville), the program�s creator. "These women truly exemplify the nature of the award and the torch of valor they carried will forever be held up for the rest of the world to see."
The featured 9/11 heroes include:
New York City Police Officer Moira Smith, 38, a 13-year veteran of law enforcement who was among the first to respond to the World Trade Center attack. A resident of Queens Village, Officer Smith died while calmly directing survivors out of the North Tower, 2 World Trade Center. Earlier in her career, Officer Smith was credited with saving hundreds of lives in the wake of a subway crash in Manhattan�s Union Square. She was posthumously awarded the NYPD�s highest award, the Medal of Honor.
"Throughout her career, Officer Smith put her safety second to those she was sworn to serve. Her courage, dedication to duty and selfless concern for others inspire me, as well as every other person who has come to know this brave woman through her work," said Senator Frank Padavan (R-C, Queens), who sponsored Officer Smith�s induction as a Senate "Woman of Distinction."
Port Authority Police Capt.Kathy Mazza, 46, died in Tower One while helping evacuate victims of the attack, becoming the first female Port Authority officer ever to die in the line of duty. Capt. Mazza, of Farmingdale, L.I., also a 14-year law enforcement veteran, was the first woman to become commandant of the PA Police Academy. Capt. Mazza began her work life as a nurse, but later was drawn to police work where she melded her medical and police training to teach fellow officers emergency medical care. Her tireless efforts to obtain defibrillators at all PA facilities is credited with saving dozens of lives in recent years.
"Capt. Mazza�s dedication to public safety spanned two careers, beginning with her nursing training, and she consistently showed tenacity, determination and a strong will to use her training to the benefit both of her department and the people she served," said Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr., who sponsored Capt. Mazza�s inclusion in the "Women of Distinction" exhibit.
Emergency Medical Technician Yamel Merino, 24, of Yonkers, was among the first rescue responders to the World Trade Center disaster and she volunteered to enter the burning towers ahead of her colleagues. Born to Dominican immigrant parents, Merino completed her EMT training at Westchester County Community College. She was chosen as EMT of the year in 1999 and 2001.
"EMT Yemel Merino showed a young woman�s courage in defying obvious and imminent danger to rush to the aid of others in need. She paid with her life, but inspired us all with her bravery and compassion," said Senator Spano (R-Westchester), Merino�s sponsor for inclusion in the "Women of Distinction" exhibit.
In addition to the 9/11 heroes, the "Women of Distinction" exhibit includes tributes to other such legends as Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, and nearly four dozen other female luminaries with close ties to New York�s history.
Created in 1998, the Senate�s "Women of Distinction" program was recently featured by the New York State Museum as part of its month-long tribute to women�s history in New York State.
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