Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano recently announced that Suda Bala Sharma is Nassau County’s 2015 Senior Citizen ‘Woman of the Year.’ Mrs. Sharm
a was presented an award at the 41st annual May Conference in Observance of Older Americans Month at the Milleridge Inn Cottage. The Nassau County Office for the Aging hosted 400 residents at this special event. Mrs. Sharma represented Nassau County in Albany at the 2015 Senior Citizens Day Recognition Event Ceremony on May 5.
“It is my distinct honor to name Mrs. Sharma as Nassau County’s 2015 Senior Citizen ‘Woman of the Year,’” said Mangano. “Her dedication to feeding the homeless through soup kitchens and food drives, along with many other charitable acts truly illustrates why Mrs. Sharma is deserving of the recognition accorded to her.”
Mrs. Sharma was born in Kenya and immigrated to the United States in 1969. She resides in Massapequa with her husband, Dave. They have three children; two sons and a daughter. Both of their sons have served in the United States Armed Forces. Sharma is a registered nurse and has worked in Home Health Care. She was nominated to be considered for ‘Woman of the Year’ by the Mary Brennan Inn Soup Kitchen due to her work in aiding the homeless.
With the India Association of Long Island, Sharma began an annual food drive now in its 20 year. The group collects over $50,000 in food and cash donations. She is a volunteer at Roto-Care and collects and dispenses medications for those who lack health insurance. Sharma collects funds and gifts for foster children through the Nassau County Department of Social Services Volunteer Program, served food to first responders during Hurricane Sandy, and sent over 6,000 books to children who were victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
Sharma’s joy is giving to others and her favorite quote is that she “brings light to the lives of those who are less fortunate.”
