Her commitment to the community was spawned of personal tragedy and triumph.
And for her 25 years in serving Queens – making it a better place to live and do business – Queens Courier publisher Victoria Schneps-Yunis has been recognized as one of 57 Women of Distinction in New York State.
Senator Toby Ann Stavisky chose to honor Schneps-Yunis for both her success as an individual and for her contributions to the well-being of New Yorkers across the state. The 13th Annual Women of Distinction celebration was held in Albany on Tuesday, May 25. The women chosen were honored for their achievements in education, the arts, health and business.
“Vicki exemplifies all the merits used as a basis for selection for the Women of Distinction honor,” Stavisky said, explaining that Schneps-Yunis was chosen as her honoree because of her ability to overcome adversity and turn it into advocacy.
Her first-born child had severe brain damage as the result of a birth injury. Her early days of advocacy began when her daughter was at the Willowbrook State School on Staten Island and she saw the deplorable conditions there, due to severe state budget cuts. Thanks to a federal class action lawsuit in which her daughter Lara was a named plaintiff, along with the expose of Geraldo Rivera, the way the needs of people who are mentally retarded are served in New York State and across the country were changed forever. The organization she founded, now named Life’s WORC, has grown to be a major service provider of group homes and day programs for children and adults who are mentally retarded or Autistic.
Inspired by the power of the press during her advocacy work for her daughter, in 1985 Schneps-Yunis founded Schneps Communications and is the publisher of The Queens Courier chain of community newspapers.
“The women honored through this program exemplify all that is the best in making our communities better places to live,” said the senator. “They are examples, mentors and friends and they inspire us to greater endeavors and higher achievements.”
She continued, “Vicki takes her place in a long line of women dedicated to making New York State a better place to live. I am proud to call her a friend.”
“I am humbled by the company I keep with the other Women of Distinction and their unique contributions in their respective fields,” said Schneps-Yunis.
