Assemblyman Tom McKevitt hosted his 5th annual Women of Distinction event recently at the Albertson VFW. With over 200 guests in attendance including former recipients of the award, family, friends, and this year’s honorees, the event was a community-wide success, noted McKevitt.
“With the outpouring of support for these women in the community it is obvious that we are so fortunate to call them our friends and neighbors,” said McKevitt. “These women represent some of the most courageous and accomplished individuals in our state and nation. Taken together, their achievements and dedication have resulted in the continuous improvement of our quality of life and an enlargement of our sense of community here on Long Island.”
Women of Distinction in the area include:
Janet Bevers
Janet Bevers, of Garden City Park, began her career as a Human Resources Professional at JP Morgan Chase in 1978. Upon receiving her Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration in June of 1987 from Marymount Manhattan College, she began to advance in title and responsibilities and was ultimately promoted to Vice President in Employee Relations in 1995. After 25 years with the bank, Janet left that profession to pursue a career change.
Now, Janet works for the Village Clerk’s Office in the Village of New Hyde Park and has done so since 2004. Her responsibilities there range from the Village Newsletter, the Village Street Fair, reconciling financial accounts, and heading relations with village residents. Additionally, Janet serves as the correspondence secretary for the Garden City Park Civic Association and has done so since 2007. The Garden City Park Civic Association Board Members, of which she is an integral part, have helped the community of Garden City Park in many ways, including securing state funding to purchase holiday lights for the community and organizing the annual community clean-up day.
Janet is a loving wife to husband Jim and truly a treasure to Garden City Park and the entire community of North Hempstead.
Gloria Brech
Gloria Brech, of Williston Park, has dedicated countless hours to the community through her various volunteer activities. Gloria was a Girl and Cub Scout leader, a campaign worker for many local political campaigns, a fundraiser for the Heart and Cancer Societies, and danced for many nursing homes, veterans organizations and community groups as a member of a women’s dance group.
Gloria is also very involved in her parish, St. Aidan’s in Williston Park. Gloria is very involved in St. Aidan’s summer stage program, open to all members of the community. In addition, Gloria is a volunteer teacher at St. Aidan’s Religious Education program and a Eucharistic Minister, bringing the Eucharist to the homebound of the community. Gloria is also a founding member of the Bethany Retreat program, a member of the St. Aidan Catholic Daughters of America, the head of the Marion Prayer group, and has opened her own home to Bible, study, and prayer groups every two weeks for the past 20 years.
In addition to all this extensive volunteer work, Gloria still manages to babysit at least once a week for a few of her nine grandchildren.
Debbie Beatty
Debbie Beatty, of Williston Park, is a mother of 2 children, who also works full time as a Home Health Care Nurse. She devotes time and patience into caring for others and always does so with a smile. She is dedicated and her patients would describe her care as that which one would give to a family member.
Even though her job would be enough of a time commitment for most, Debbie’s dedication does not end there. She is the president of her children’s school’s Parent Teacher Association and a troop leader of her daughter’s Girl Scout Troop. Additionally, she is a dedicated member of St. Aidan’s Church in Williston Park.
Mrs. Beatty is excellent role model for the children whose lives she enhances via her many volunteer opportunities and a beacon of positive energy for her patients. Even when faced with adversity, those who know Debbie best would say that she is always able to push through with a smile.
Kathleen Flynn
Kathleen Flynn, of Williston Park, has spent nearly 25 years serving the Carle Place community as a teacher and has acted as chairperson of the Carle Place School District’s Special Education Department for 10 years. She has been the business manager of the award-winning yearbook Carillon since 1993, is a member of the Senior Speaker committee and is a beloved chaperone at graduation each year.
In the district, she facilitates the operation of the Learning Center, and coordinates testing and proctoring schedules for students requiring services. Her work as a district representative for Chapter 408 policy implementation is equally notable, as her duties include working closely with other public schools, child care institutions, private schools and pre-school providers to ensure that Individualized Education Plan (IEP) services are delivered promptly to students in need. She is also an active participant in the Carle Place MSHS Accreditation for Growth committee, and provides innovative contributions to both school and community as they complete a comprehensive assessment of district programs and procedures each year.
While serving as a role model to the students and staff within the school district, Mrs. Flynn also assists local colleges by providing quality student teaching experiences for individuals seeking to enter the education profession. She has also spoken locally and provides professional development to teachers on Chapter 408, the Learning Center, Inclusion practices and response to Intervention (RtI). Her willingness to share her expertise and knowledge with students, teachers, parents, and community organizations make her an asset to Carle Place and all of its surrounding areas.
