March is not only for ides and the Irish; it is also Women’s History Month – a time to honor the fairer sex for their strength and accomplishments.
During his annual open house event in Sunnyside, Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer honored four outstanding women for their contributions to the community during a special awards ceremony on Saturday, March 19.
“These individuals have helped enrich our community with their talent, dedication and involvement,” said Van Bramer.
At the ceremony, which Van Bramer plans to make a yearly tradition, the community honored women who have excelled in numerous areas including business, advocacy, nursing and numerous other endeavors. This year’s honorees included Gianna Cerbone, Gertrude McDonald, Catherine O’Flaherty and Mannie Wilson.
Cerbone is a lifelong Long Island City resident and a tireless entrepreneur. According to Van Bramer, she remembers the importance of community in all she does. While running her successful restaurant, Manducatis Rustica, she shows her commitment to the community by opening her doors to host events – she also volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House and helps raise funds for P.S. 78Q in L.I.C.
Another great advocate for her neighborhood, McDonald has spent her entire life working for western Queens as a member of many different community government and civic organizations. She served as a longtime member of Community Board 2 and in 1974 helped found the Sunnyside Senior Center – serving as the chair of the advisory committee and working on youth and other senior-oriented programs.
Van Bramer said that McDonald has fought adversity against women in politics and has helped lead the way by inspiring other woman to seek public office.
Another inspiration in her own right, O’Flaherty has spent over 21 years showing care and profession as a nurse at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She is also a member of the Sunnyside Gardens Preservation Alliance, volunteering and going door to door speaking with neighbors, attending meetings, fundraising and fighting for causes.
And the fourth honoree, Wilson, has always been a trailblazer as a member of the L.I.C. Community Board for nearly three decades. She’s also worked as the executive director of a program in Astoria called Resocialization of the Handicapped, as well as with Assemblymember Cathy Nolan for over 20 years.
Each honoree received a proclamation from Van Bramer.
“I would like to thank the honorees for being such outstanding leaders and for helping to make our community be the very best in all of New York City,” said the councilmember.
