Camille Orrichio Loccisano 

Dyker Heights

Camille Orrichio Loccisano is a resident of Dyker Heights where she raised three sons as a single mother.  Her oldest son, Frankie, lost his three-year battle against osteosarcoma, a rare pediatric cancer, a few years ago at the age of 17. Throughout the course of Frankie’s illness, Camille never left his side. He dreamed that one day he would be well enough “to give back and help sick children." After his death, Camille dedicated herself to the fulfillment of Frankie’s dream. She established The Francesco Loccisano Memorial Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to assist the families of children afflicted with cancer. Through Camille’s tireless efforts, and with the help and support of its board of directors and several distinguished honorary members, the foundation has helped countless children and families since its inception in 2008. Camille's exceptional service to her children and her community is also evidenced in her response to the severe autism with which her middle son, Nicholas, was diagnosed at the age of 18 months. Camille left no stone unturned in her search for appropriate resources and programs to aid in Nicky’s development. And, once again, Camille then reached out to help other needy families by developing and presenting a workshop to share what she had learned with the parents of autistic children in Brooklyn’s Special Education District 75. Camille's third and youngest son, Christopher, is currently attending Xaverian High School in Bay Ridge. In addition to her invaluable work on behalf of The Francesco Loccisano Memorial Foundation, Camille is employed at The Child School, where she is now developing a culinary arts program for learning disabled students. 

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Elaine Lindsey

Bedford Stuyvesant 

Elaine Lindsey is an educator, mentor, and motivational speaker who has touched the lives of many in her school and in her community.  Elaine does not accept the word “can’t” and refuses to settle for mediocrity.  She believes that educating young people is a ministry and that it is her assignment to help others achieve, especially young people, despite the often insurmountable obstacles thrown in their path.  Her singular determination to help her students achieve their goal of earning a high school diploma goes above and beyond her job description. A product of the New York City Public School system herself, Elaine obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Baruch College and two Master’s degrees from CUNY.  In the last twenty years, Elaine has worked as a teacher, a dean and an assistant administrator.  She currently serves as principal of Brooklyn Academy High School, where she takes on the challenge of working with at-risk students who are over-aged and under-credited.  Her mantra is “Excellence is our only Medium,” which fuels the success of her school.  Elaine has received numerous awards for her outstanding work as an administrator.  She is a catalyst for change and a true visionary who empowers young people to look beyond their circumstances and to see their own ability to achieve greatness.

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Phillipa Morrish

Bay Ridge

Phillipa Morrish began her impressive teaching career in her post-high school years when she spent time in the jungles of Guyana with the Macushi tribe.  Through the Ministry of Education, she taught general education subjects to the children during the day, but independently created a women’s group to teach their mothers social and religious subjects one evening per week.  She encouraged them to find their voices, insist on community respect, write letters to address issues and also discuss religious views.  Phillipa immigrated to the United States in 1982 and quickly realized that her academic education, though excellent, did not automatically translate into the social skills needed for success.  She attended the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm, New York City, and later, Minding Manners, a protocol school in London.  Today, Phillipa is a certified Protocol Consultant who has taught business and social protocol programs to adults and teens since 1999.  She is the founder of Etiquette Training International, a finishing school program dedicated to promoting 21^st century social education skills in the U.S. and abroad.  Phillipa has taught courses in manners to high school seniors at Adelphi Academy and Fontbonne Hall Academy in Bay Ridge.  She has conducted workshops for Federal Correction Officers, for private groups such as the Ladies Hibernians in Bay Ridge, and for members of the military at the Fort Hamilton Army base.  She created “The Chrysalis Project,” a certificate course which targets women in half-way houses and those who have six months or less left on a prison sentence.  This course teaches the vital skills necessary to enable these women to re-enter the work force and revive long lost dreams. Her international 2010 schedule took her to Guyana and Jamaica, where she successfully taught Finishing School courses to teens and Social Protocol courses to professional men and women.  She has raised scholarship funds for Guyanese students, solicited books to create a school library for her alma mater, and continues her book drive on behalf of the National Library.

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Veronica L. Price

Bedford Stuyvesant

The eldest of sixteen children, Veronica L. Price was born in Camden, New Jersey.  She was raised by her grandparents, Jessie and Zella Stephens, whom she loved and admired. Veronica credits them with her healthy respect and regard for a good work ethic, values and compassion. As her siblings grew in number, Veronica’s responsibilities increased and she became a master at multi-tasking.  As a young girl, she worked odd jobs, always sharing with her siblings in an effort to enhance their lives.  At twelve she was a domestic worker, and knew at that age that she wanted to become a nurse.  She graduated from Martland Hospital Unit School of Nursing as the Salutatorian in 1970, and went on to get her Bachelor’s and two Masters’ Degrees.   Throughout her career, she has held various positions, i.e. NYC Board of Education Instructor; Emergency Room Nurse; ICU Nurse; Operating Room Nurse, Home Care Nurse, Supervisor, Director, Vice President and Administrator; Community Outreach Director and Professor of Nursing.  She has cared for thousands of patients and their families, has taught untold numbers of nursing students and mentored others. Veronica had been a member of Bridge Street AME Church since 1995. There, she served as a member of the Gospel Chorus, Foley Harmonettes and the Praise Ensemble. She is currently a member of the Brooklyn Community Church where the Reverend Dr. Fred A. Lucas is the Pastor. Veronica believes wholeheartedly that her music ministry contributes significantly to her spiritual growth. She recorded a CD in 2005 entitled, “I’m So Glad.”  Veronica is the  proud  mother of Jason and grandmother of Demier.

Arline Richardson

Brownsville

Born in 1936, Arline Richardson has lived her entire life within a two-block radius between Decatur Street and Bainbridge Street, just off Saratoga Avenue in Brownsville.  She attended Brooklyn public schools and Franklin K. Lane High School in Queens.  As a child growing up in the borough, Arline and her siblings enjoyed trips to Coney Island, local parades, parks, plays and movies at now long-shuttered theaters.  In 1956 Arline married her husband, Arthur, and they went on to have seven children.  Arline’s husband, a long-haul trucker, was on the road much of the time, leaving the task of raising the kids to Arline.  She shepherded her children through a neighborhood plagued by many problems – gangs, drugs, racial tensions, crime and violence were never far from her doorstep.  With her eagle-eye, Arline watched, not only her own children, but looked after all the other kids on the block as well, letting them know when they were doing fine, but quick to report them to their parents when they were at risk of misbehaving.   In 1980, Arline’s husband died, leaving her to raise her large family on her own.   With the guidance and support of her brother, a New York City police officer, Arline saw her son, Kevin, graduate from law school and go on to become an Assistant District Attorney.  She also has two grandchildren and a nephew who contribute to the Office’s mission.  Now retired after a career with AT&T/Verizon, Arline still lives on Decatur Street and continues to watch over the neighborhood children.  Known affectionately as “Mom,” Arline provides guidance, counsel and a good meal when needed for her Brownsville community.

Frances T. Vella-Marrone

Dyker Heights

Fran Vella-Marrone is a lifelong resident of the Dyker Heights/Bay Ridge community and has dedicated over a quarter century to civic service.  She is a graduate of St. Patrick’s Grammar School, Bishop Kearney High School and she earned her B.S. from St. John’s University.  Fran’s career reflects extensive experience in both the public and private sectors.   She served as president of the Dyker Heights Civic Association for nearly two decades.  She is also past president of the Bay Ridge Business and Professional Women’s Club.  She is currently a member of the 68^th Precinct Council, Community Board Ten, serving as past chairwoman of the Nominating Committee and Environmental Committee; a founding member and  past president of the McKinley/Leif Ericson Park Alliance;  a member of the Cathedral Club;  a delegate to the Bay Ridge Community Council;  a co-organizer of the Dyker Military Package Fund; and she served as a member of  both Senator Golden’s and the former Congressman Fosella’s Zoning Task Force.   Fran is presently employed as a legal assistant at the law firm of Connors & Sullivan.

Gail Singer

Carroll Gardens

Rozena Raja

Sheepshead Bay

Rozena Raja is one of seven Brooklyn-born children of Pakistani immigrants who came here more than forty years ago to carve out a dignified existence for themselves and their family.   Rozena attended Stuyvesant High School and received her Bachelor’s in English Education from Brooklyn College. She is currently working towards her Master’s Degree with an eye towards pursuing a Doctorate. She is in her second year as Coach of Al-Noor School’s Debate Team. This impressive team has been debating in tournaments throughout the New York area and the students are consistently ranked in the top three.  Rozena motivates her students to love the thrill of competition and connect with students from other schools and backgrounds, all of whom share a love of debate.  Rozena believes that debate is a critical skill, one which allows her students to engage in civic discourse about issues of ethics and morality.  Currently, her students are debating the topic of treatment of juveniles charged with violent felonies as adults in the criminal justice system.  Rozena has taught within the private school system for the past ten years, and she enjoys the freedom that small schools afford.  She started a Public Speaking course specifically for seniors at Al-Noor, which is now in its third year.  Last year Rozena spoke at a CUNY-wide Symposium - “Muslim Professional Women” - hosted by the Muslim Women’s Educational Initiative in collaboration with the Women’s Studies Department of Brooklyn College. She has served as Local Secretary of Islamic Circle of North America’s (ICNA) Young Muslims, Vice-President of Brooklyn College’s Muslim Students Association, and currently serves as the New York Representative for the American Learning Institute for Muslims – a nationally recognized organization dedicated to empowering Muslims through critically meaningful discourse, and intellectual and spiritual development.

Dedra Wade

Brownsville

Before Dedra Wade created her successful non-profit organization, Community Partners Commission Assoc., Inc., she served New York City as the Department of Probation’s Chief for Community Affairs and Community Service. During her 24-year career with the Department of Probation, she served as a supervisor in Family Court, Alternative to Detention, Foster Care and Adoption.  The crowning glories of her career were her positions as City-Wide Chief of Community Service and Community Affairs. There, she used her natural abilities to draw people together and build partnerships, creating a graffiti task force and community service work crews to cover the City of New York. She is known for her power to build relationships among community residents, organizations and political officials, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for the community at large. Dedra’s not-for-profit organization, Community Partners Commission Assoc., Inc., served as a vehicle for her natural and predictable evolution from the public servant to community leader.  During her city-wide duties with Probation, Dedra developed a passion and commitment to East New York and Brownsville. The commitment became the drive to start her nonprofit and the flagship program,  CPCA, Inc. Community Enrichment Center. Today, thousands of community residents and colleagues know the organization and rely on its staff and members to do what their mission professes: “create partnerships that change lives and enhance communities”

Katherine D'Emic

Bay Ridge

Kate D’Emic has always put others and her community before herself. Kate is a lifelong Bay Ridge resident who is currently a special education teacher at P.S. 222 in Brooklyn.  Kate’s work at P.S. 222 has been exceptional. She has taught 3rd, 4th and 5th grade special education classes for students with severe disabilities, including mental retardation, autism and cerebral palsy. In 2007, Kate won first place for a Brooklyn environmental project and received an award from State Senator Martin Golden. In 2008, to supplement supplies for her classes, Kate applied for a grant from Donor’s Choose and received an easel and other teaching tools for her classroom. More recently, Kate had her students knit winter hats for the infants and toddlers of families seeking help at Brooklyn’s Family Justice Center. The hats were presented at a ceremony that was held at the District Attorney’s Office in February.

Ola Akinmowo

Bedford Stuyvesant 

Ola Akinmowo is a dedicated pillar of the Bedford Stuyvesant community. She is a set designer for film, music, video, commercials and television; the owner and manager of “So Hum Yoga Studio” and a bed and breakfast called "Brooklyn Cozy," all located in her home in Bedford Stuyvesant.  Most of Ola’s volunteer work is centered on health and the healing arts. She is dedicated to the Weeksville Farmer's Market, which provides low income people with easy access to an array of healthy food choices, where she organizes cooking demonstrations with healthy recipes with chefs from various Brooklyn communities.  She also provides opportunities for high school students to get community service credit for volunteering at the market. She teaches food science classes, as well as gardening and how to be eco-friendly to elementary and high school students. Ola is also an active member of the Malcom X Grassroots Food Justice Committee which advocates for better food choices in communities of color. When she is not running the market, she offers another invaluable service to the community - low to no cost yoga at So Hum Studio.  Additionally, she has also formed a teen yoga group that assists teens with balancing their emotional well being specifically focusing on anxiety and trauma.

Kathy Peterson

Marine Park

Kathy Peterson, RN, MSN, CEN is the Executive Director of Nursing for the Emergency Department at Maimonides Medical Center. The emergency room at Maimonides is one of the busiest and most crowded in the nation. In 2010, 110,000 adults and children were treated and comforted there. Over 26,000 of these patients required hospital admission. Kathy’s outstanding clinical skills, leadership acumen and dedication have enabled her to lead a staff of over 350 nurses and ancillary staff that deliver quality health services to one of the most diverse patient populations in the country. Her tireless, compassionate care for all of Maimonides’s patients, families and visitors has been recognized by both internal and external constituents, including an award citation from Bikur Cholim (Borough Park). In addition to her primary clinical responsibilities, Kathy has become a force in improving services for victims of child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Kathy has partnered with the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and the Brooklyn Family Justice Center, the New York City Department of Health, and the New York Alliance Against Sexual Assault to address these complex issues. Under Kathy’s leadership, awareness of these issues has increased throughout the Maimonides community. Kathy Peterson is a lifelong resident of Brooklyn and resides in Marine Park. She was educated in Brooklyn and earned her Bachelor and Master degrees from local universities. Kathy and her husband, Harry, are active in their community, and have successfully raised two fine sons. Kathy spends much of her time tending to stray animals in her neighborhood, often getting them medical care and subsequent adoption at her own expense.

Rosia Wyche

Coney Island

Rosia Wyche has been a resident of Coney Island for 35 years and has made many invaluable contributions to her neighborhood during that period.  Her connection to Coney Island Hospital began 31 years ago, and she has served in many roles at that institution including as an EKG technician; a licensed phlebotomist; an HMO outreach coordinator; and administrator, a position in which she served for over 20 years until her retirement in 2003.  Rosia has been a long-time advocate for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), where she served as a Tenant Association President and a Tenant Association Patrol Supervisor.  She currently serves as a Member of the Resident Advisory Board, Chairperson of the Brooklyn South Council of Presidents, Member of the Citywide Council of Presidents, and President of the Coney Island Houses Residents Association.  She recently created the African-American Senior Club, open to all nationalities, which operates out of Surfside Gardens Community Center.  In 2008, she was elected as 2nd Vice President of the NYCHA Citywide Council of Presidents.  Rosia is a member of Community Board #13, where she has sat on numerous committees.  She is a member of the grass roots organization, Friends of the Boardwalk.  Rosia is a longstanding member of the Coney Island Cathedral of Deliverance, where she has served as a choir member and press secretary to the Bishop.  Her favorite roles have been  devoted mother to son Dominic, and  “Grandma” to Heaven Dominique and Mars Isaiah.

Laila Farhat

Bay Ridge

On October, 29, 1969 Dr. Laila Farhat left her country of Lebanon to go to Spain. In 1988 she graduated High School and went on to study medicine. In 1994, Dr. Farhat came to America where she completed her residency in 1999 at Brooklyn Hospital. This was an exciting time for her; because it was here that she met and married her husband Dr. Kamel Taoube. Dr. Farhat has 5 children besides being a working mom, wife and doctor, she still finds time to serve her community.  She is passionate in helping Arab American women register to vote and teaching the importance of voting. She is the a proud supporter of the Arab American Women's Committee Mother's Day dinner where over 140 women were invited to attend and treated like they were Queens for the day. She is also a proud supporter of the Arab American Association of NY. Dr. Farhat has been known to give charity for women who other wise would not have gone to a doctor. She came to America as a single Muslim woman and her struggles were not easy, but that did not stop her from her dreams of being a doctor, wife, mother and community leader in Bay Ridge.

Diane Amato

Bensonhurst

Dianne Amato has served as a member of the Bensonhurst Volunteer Ambulance Service since 1984 and loves volunteering with this fine organization of young men and women who answer emergency medical calls within their community.   Dianne was first trained as a dispatcher and soon became involved in the administrative side of the organization.  She rose to the level of Assistant Chief Dispatcher, training new dispatchers and teaching dispatching classes.  She served as Corporate Secretary from 1989-1991, sat on the Board of Directors and was responsible for sending out a monthly newsletter, as well as corporate correspondence and thank you letters to the community.  In 1992, Dianne was elected to the position of Vice President, a position she held until 2000.  In that capacity, she served on numerous committees and planned many events, including bucket drives, bake sales and flea markets to help raise funds for the Service.  In 2001, Dianne was diagnosed with breast cancer and was granted a leave of absence.  Soon after her diagnosis she read a pamphlet about Padre Pio, and she started going Saturday morning novena to Padre Pio.  Today, she still attends the novena mass at Regina Pacis Church.   Dianne returned to work at the Service until another unexpected illness required yet another leave of absence. , and still enjoys coming in every Monday to dispatch and work with the crews.   She continues to attend the monthly membership meetings.

Diane Ng

Sheepshead Bay

Diane Ng spent 19 years as recording secretary of the Parent’s Association at P.S. 277. While there she created and assisted with fund raisers and boutiques, as well as organized the teacher’s luncheon for years. Every year she helped the graduating classes put together their yearbooks, decorate and run their prom, and assisted during graduation.  She has also volunteered at the Bay Academy, Intermediate School 98. After their Parent’s Association was disbanded for some time, she restarted it and served  from 1998-2001, and again from 2005-2008.  Diane has always been involved with the improvement of schools. She served on the School Leadership teams for P.S. 277 and I.S. 98, and currently serves for Marine Park Junior High School, Intermediate School 278.  Additionally, she has served on C-30 committees. Diane has also dedicated much of her time and effort to her community where she is always helping those in need. For years she and her four children have cooked and fed the homeless in Saint Mark’s Parish’s Kitchen until they closed.  She still cooks for the homeless once a month, as well as donates clothing whenever she can. She was also a Girl Scout leader for two years and a Boy Scout aide for five years.  Throughout those years she spread her ideas of caring for others and working hard to achieve greatness to all her scouts. She now runs Resurrection Church’s card party after assisting for two years.   She is a mother of four and a role model to all.

Rivkah Brikman

Sea Gate

Rivkah Brikman is co-director of Chabad by the Ocean which services the communities of Sea Gate and Coney Island in Brooklyn.  A mother of three, she has also acted as a mother to anyone in need.  For 20 years, she has been influential in drawing people together to do acts of goodness and kindness.  Rivkah has been instrumental in starting and directing the following innovative organizations and projects: SOS (Smile on seniors) which pairs teenagers with a senior; Chabad Teen Club, which offers teenagers recreation, and many worthwhile projects in Sea Gate and Coney Island; JKC (Jewish Kids Club) an educational group for young children to learn through crafts, games and more; and JLI (Jewish Learning Institute) which offers adult education.  Rivkah’s deep commitment to the community includes visiting the sick in hospitals throughout New York City and advising and referring individuals and families to appropriate social services.

Dorothy Shields

Red Hook

Sixty-one years ago Dorothy Shields moved from South Carolina to Red Hook, Brooklyn.  She is a mother of six children, and was a teacher for twenty years at P.S. 27 until she retired in 1984.  After her retirement she wanted to give back to the Red Hook community and became a Community Service Aide at the New York City Housing Authority.  She has been the President of The Red Hook Tenant Association since 1970, and facilitated in bringing many enterprises to Red Hook such as Food First Supermarket, Royal Farms Supermarket, Big R Supermarket, Red Hook Justice Center, Fairway and IKEA.  She helps seniors and tenants with many problems such as senior care, food, employment, and carfare, to name a few.  She began “Family Day in Red Hook” fourteen years ago which is still going strong.  She also sponsored the 2010 Summer Camp at Micco Community Center, and gives scholarships to help kids with college.  Education is Dorothy’s passion which helped her bring two charter schools to Red Hook – Red Hook Pave Academy and Summit Academy. 

Medge-Lee Noel Ajani

Crown Heights

Medge-Lee Noel Ajani, a Haitian American, has always loved children.  At the early age of seven she took care of her eleven siblings.  She loved taking care of people and she knew that her future would involve helping people.  She graduated from Clara Barton High School with a Pre-med and Pre-law degree and proceeded to college to pursue her dream to become a doctor or lawyer.  That all changed on September 11, 2001, when she was a direct victim of the tragic events that occurred on that day.  It was after these events that Medge-Lee decided to return to what she loved most - taking care of children.  She became a regular substitute teacher and taught Special Education and General Education at the High School of Telecommunications for two years.  She started the schools’ first award winning Step and Dance teams. She became the Group Teacher at John Coker Day Care Center where she was also the Scholastic Book Fair Representative.  She got involved in community events for kids by volunteering at the Holy Cross Summer Camp.  She was a member of the Community Action Project (now Brooklyn Congregations United) where she is also the secretary of their Executive Board working on issues such as education, health, employment, housing and immigration.  She has also volunteered as a translator for the Haitian Community, especially concerning issues of immigration after Haiti’s devastating earthquake.  Medge-Lee is the proud mother of three children and she is truly extraordinary. 

Otelia Peele

Brownsville

Otelia Peele (“T” to her friends) was born in the small town of Windsor, North Carolina, the fourth of thirteen children.  Otelia first came to New York City at nineteen and settled in Queens with one of her sisters.  After residing briefly in Connecticut with another sister, Otelia married her high school sweetheart, and the two set out to make a life for themselves in Brooklyn.  Over the years, Otelia took on many jobs to make ends meet as she raised her three young boys.   She worked as a housekeeper, a child-care worker and a home care attendant.  She was always a willing volunteer at her boys’ schools when they were young. Otelia has always been active in her church, often cooking for church members and happy to donate her time, money and labor to give back to others.  Every Sunday morning, Otelia cooks breakfast for members of her church – she says that’s her gift to them.  Word of Otelia’s delicious southern cooking has spread and the result is “T”licious.  Otelia caters parties for friends and church members alike, often doing it just for the sheer love of it.  Otelia is an exemplary friend and neighbor, never hesitating to respond to anyone in need. Otelia has raised three wonderful sons and they have given her five beautiful grandchildren.   Otelia is truly an extraordinary woman.

Judith Daly

Red Hook

Judith Daly was born and raised in Red Hook, Brooklyn.  Retired after 37 years with the DOE.  A former member of Community Board 6 and Vice President of the Tenants Association.  She is a member of the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association and the Red Hook Initiative. Judith enjoys working with the children and seniors of her community.  Once a month on Friday’s she teaches art to young adults who in turn take this knowledge to work on art projects with the developmentally disabled adults of Visitation Mercy Home.  Judith works very closely with neighborhood senior center residents on fundraising ideas, planning activities and their monthly menus.

Leslyn Stewart

Brooklyn South

Leslyn Stewart is an exceptionally strong, vibrant and intelligent woman who works tirelessly to inspire and motivate members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Through her invaluable activism, she undoubtedly keeps the memory of her late husband, Detective 1st Grade Dillon Stewart, alive. Dillon Stewart, who was a member of Brooklyn’s 70 Precinct in the Brooklyn South command, was killed in the line of duty on November 28, 2005. Like other police officers who have been slain while performing their duties, Dillon lost his own life while protecting the lives of others. Since Dillon’s death, Leslyn has devoted her time to speaking with police officers from other Brooklyn South commands about her experience as well as the importance of ensuring their own safety, while at the same time protecting the public, so they can return to their families unharmed at the end of their work day. She also reminds them about the value of sharing their work experiences with their families so that those experiences can become integrated into the lives of their families as a whole. Since Dillon’s death, Leslyn has also been active in various non-profit organizations, including the New York Police and Fire Widows and Children’s Fund. In addition, Leslyn is an active member of the organization C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors), which helps the families of slain police officers rebuild their shattered lives. Leslyn serves as a resource and mentor for the families. Since Dillon’s passing, Leslyn has continued to do what Dillon himself had started to do years ago. She is without a doubt a credit to her husband’s memory and her family, a credit to Brooklyn, and a beloved and important role model for her two daughters, Alexis and Samantha.