Center for Women of NY to Honor Local Leaders at Douglaston Manor Luncheon

The Center for the Women of New York will honor 12 community leaders, including a northeast Queens Assembly member and a former first lady of New York, during the group’s annual luncheon next weekend at the .

Ann Jawin, the center’s founder and president of the Doug Bay Manor Civic, said the fundraiser’s theme this year is economic opportunities for women.

“It’s an ongoing theme,” she said. “We’re always concerned about economic equity and independence. We want women to get educated and have access to different opportunities.”

The gala luncheon, which celebrates the center’s 25th anniversary, will be held at noon on April 28 in the Douglaston Manor, located at 63-20 Marathon Parkway.

This year’s Woman of Distinction will be Matilda Raffa Cuomo, the former first lady of New York.

State Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, D-Bayside, will receive the “Good Guy” Award, which is given to men who supports the group’s efforts to achieve equal rights for women.

The community service award will go to state Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, D-Ridgewood, for her work as the chairwoman of the Assembly’s Education Committee.

“Women in Leadership” awards will be given to City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, D-Middle Village, state Assemblywoman Grace Meng, D-Flushing, Democratic State Committee Member Catherine Glover, United Federation of Teachers Retiree Social Services Director Sasha Greene, Nassau County Commissioner for the Aging Evelyn Roth, and Jamaica High School Physical Education Coach Sue Sutera.

Other “Good Guy” awards will go to Melrose Credit Union Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer Alan Kaufman, 42nd Street Development Corp. President Fred Papert and MetLife Financial Services Executive Gregory Clague.

Jawin said the center, which was founded in 1987, aims to be a one-stop, walk-in center for women, offering a variety of services, such as support groups, job clubs, legal clinics and home health aide classes.

“A lot of what we do is working in coalition with other groups,” Jawin said. “Nobody can do it by themselves. But we are not funded. We try to get support from our members, the public and volunteers.”

Tickets for this upcoming weekend’s luncheon are $125 apiece and can be purchased through the Center for the Women of New York’s website.