When Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto sent Lisa Williams Schary a letter notifying her that she was selected as one of the town’s “Women of Distinction” for 2016, she was truly humbled. But based on everything she has done for Long Island, it was no surprise to see her standing up on the platform at the awards ceremony on March 22. Schary was very shocked upon receiving the nomination and later discovered that it was her husband who submitted her name.
“He did a sneak job on me,” she said of her husband, Richard, who also submitted his wife’s history of volunteerism, activism and being very involved in different ways for many years, especially with the parks’ open space issues and protection of the water supply.
The “Women of Distinction” awards program was designed to recognize exceptional women who either live or work in the town for their contributions and achievements. Schary earned her bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University, a master’s from Adelphi University and spent her career as an educator. Upon retiring, she devoted her time to preserving Long Island’s beautiful open spaces.
Schary was the recipient of the Women of Distinction for her assembly district in 2010 and was given the award by Assemblyman Thomas McKevitt. In 2012, she won again, this time for her decades of developing state parks and county issues. The following year, Schary was recognized by Nassau County as an outstanding woman of achievement from Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano.
“This is the first time I’m being awarded from a government standpoint,” said Schary. “I’ve worked for many years to have an animal abuse registry and that is coming to fruition. I have also worked very closely with the Nassau County Police Department as a graduate of the citizen’s police academy.”
Schary’s list of accomplishments and accolades is very extensive. Her impressive resume also includes being a member of the alumni association, where she works to make sure any homeless people that move into the parks or preserves get the assistance they need to be relocated to a better situation.
Although Schary actually resides in North Bellmore, her involvement carries over into the Massapequa and Seaford community.
“There’s no park in my neighborhood and a lack of open space, so that’s how I got involved with the Friends of Massapequa Preserve,” she said of the organization that she and her husband co-founded, which helps maintain the natural beauty of the Massapequas. “The hiking trail starts on Merrick Road and goes through the Massapequa Preserve, crosses the parkway and goes all the way to Cold Spring Harbor. My husband and I were involved in hiking and taking pictures and we started walking through the preserve and found that no one was taking care of it.”
A former Girl Scout and traveling daughter of the military (her father was in the service), Schary’s love of the outdoors runs deep. Since natural reserves don’t bring money into the government, Schary and her husband decided that the preserve was a jewel, and the only way to get people to care about it was bring attention to the negatives and focus on the positives.
“We made a 501c3 and the rest is history,” she said of the organization, which has been around for 15 years. “We have also helped keep the Tackapausha Museum and Preserve in Seaford open and in a condition where everyone can enjoy it. I want to protect the community we have.”
