Town Board notes accomplishments of women who make a difference
East Northport – Huntington Supervisor Frank P. Petrone and the Town Council marked the Town’s 15th Annual Women’s Networking Day by recognizing five distinguished women for their contributions to the Town.
A record crowd of more than 600 people attended the October 20 event, run under the auspices of the Town’s Division of Women’s Services and carrying the theme, “Reflect, Relax, Revitalize.” The event, at The Larkfield, was sponsored by GEICO, A Gentle Touch Senior Home & Healthcare, Island Better Hearing and AgeWell New York.
The day was highlighted by presentations to the honorees, each chosen by a member of the Town Board for her achievements in making Huntington a better place to live.
The honorees were:
Vita Scaturro, a financial industry banker with thirty-eight-years of proven contributions to the areas of new business development, sales management and staff development. Currently, she holds the position of business relationship manager, VP at JP Morgan Chase. She dedicates and spends most of her free time volunteering with several non-for-profit organizations in the Town, including the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce, the Townwide Fund of Huntington, Moonjumpers Charitable Foundation, the Leadership Huntington Foundation and the Lt. Det. Joseph Petrosino Association in America Inc. She was recognized by Supervisor Frank P. Petrone.
Annie McClintock, a one-on-one special education teaching assistant in the Harborfields School District who has been named New York State United Teachers School Related Professional of the Year. She was honored at the White House as part of the CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE Program for her achievements in the classroom. She is also a dedicated homeless services volunteer with the Huntington Interfaith Homeless Initiative, which provides services for low-income and homeless families. She was recognized by Councilman Mark Cuthbertson.
Jamie Wendt, Suffolk County police officer assigned to the Second Precinct who has also served as a Dix Hills Fire Department firefighter and rescue squad emergency medical technician. She has also worked as a figure skating instructor at the Town’s Dix Hills Ice Rink and created a camp activity for the children participating with the the Tri-Community Youth Agency to skate weekly at the rink. She was recognized by Councilwoman Susan A. Berland.
Carolyn Licata, a social worker at the Dolan Family Health Center who also organizes job fairs at St. Hugh of Lincoln R.C. Church and, through the Suffolk County Department of Health, baby showers for mothers and babies in need. She also organizes clothing drives and toy giveaways. She also works with the K9 Center, an organization dedicated to humane treatment of large breed dogs that also promotes their safe breeding and training. She was recognized by Councilman Eugene Cook.
The Rev. Bernadette Watkins, a Christian leader, community activist, and an adult and teen mentor. She has hosted summer camps, back to school fun days, family and friends’ days and drive in movie nights. She has also been involved in numerous community projects. In 1994 she was appointed to the Town of Huntington African American Task Force. The Rev. Watkins is also an avid member of the PTA. In 2012, she started a summer reading program to encourage and teach children the joy of reading and to help maintain their reading skills during the summer. She is the mother of 4 biological children, 12 adopted children, and 6 children from family members that she raised as her own and many grandchildren. She is also a foster mother, taking children into her home giving them love and a much needed sense of family. She was recognized by Councilwoman Tracey A. Edwards.
In the photo: seated, l-r: Vita Scaturro, Jamie Wendt, Annie McClintock, Carolyn Licata and Bernadette Watkins. Standing, l-r: Supervisor Frank P. Petrone, Councilwoman Susan A. Berland, Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, Councilman Eugene Cook, Councilwoman Tracey A. Edwards and Rhonda Shepardson, director, division of women’s services.