Port Washington resident Karen Sloan and Sands Point resident Annette Oestreich were named to the 2016 May W. Newburger Women’s Roll of Honor at a ceremony on March 16, at the Clubhouse at Harbor Links. Since 1994, North Hempstead has held the Women’s Roll of Honor breakfast to honor women who have made contributions to their community.
Karen Sloan has a passion for serving the community of Port Washington, where she has lived with her family for the past 17 years.
“I have served as BOE president for seven years,” said Sloan. “I am most proud of helping to facilitate a tone of respect and cooperation that has enabled our BOE, and our entire district, to work together and whether we agree or disagree, find a compromise that always keeps our single most important goal as our focus: doing what is best for our students, the children of Port Washington.”
Sloan is vice president of development for The Ed. Foundation. She has held numerous volunteer positions during and after her children’s years in the Port schools. She has served on the board of the Sandsport/Shoshana Chapter of Hadassah. She serves on the board of the Mildred and Sydney Edelstein Foundation.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Mooney said, “On behalf of the school district, we are thrilled that BOE President Karen Sloan has been honored by the town by being inducted into the 2016 Women’s Roll of Honor. Mrs. Sloan is truly worthy of this distinction for her incredible contributions to the school district and other community organizations. She serves as a role model and community leader for all of us. We could not agree more that Mrs. Sloan is a most deserving recipient of this honor.”
Annette Oestreich was born and raised in Port. She and her first husband started a power equipment business in Port—Precision Work. After he passed away, she developed the business with her second husband, Robert Oestreich. Precision employs 18 people locally, distributes power equipment in nine states and is the largest distributor of Walker mowers worldwide. “I was born and raised in Port Washington—the third generation here,” said Oestreich. “I’ve been here all my life. It’s a great town and a great community. I’m very glad at this stage in my life to be able to give back to the community. It’s a great honor to be recognized. As long as I’m living here, I want to continue to give back to the community.”
Oestreich and her late husband, Robert, were a leading force in the fight against the construction of a mass-burn incinerator in the Sand Pits, getting behind the effort both with financial support and enormous amounts of personal effort. They went door to door to get petitions signed and had the courage to join in a lawsuit filed by RFMBPW against the Town of North Hempstead.
Oestreich is a member of the Board of Directors of the Property Owners Association of Harbor Acres and has been its treasurer for over 25 years. She served on the Residents Club Commission of the Village Club of Sands Point and was a founding member of the Astor Lane Residents Association. She is a board member of Residents For A More Beautiful Port Washington and is chairperson of its finance committee. She is involved in Residents Model Blocks committee. She is also a member of many other local organizations, including the Sons of Italy and the Chamber of Commerce.
