Queens streets co-named for female trailblazers

The name of and story behind a beloved local activist, resident and first female Queens County Clerk will never be forgotten.

On Tuesday, August 27, family, friends and elected officials gathered to honor the life of Gloria D’Amico by co-naming Shore Boulevard and 21st Drive in Astoria as “The Honorable Gloria D’Amico Place.” The street was chosen because it was where D’Amico lived.

“I was lucky enough to have two mentors – my father, who taught me public service and how to serve people with honest and integrity, and Gloria, who showed me how to get in a position to help people,” said Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr.

“She was a trailblazer for women throughout Queens, and I am honored to have been her friend.”

D’Amico served as the first female Queens County Clerk for 19 years under which she helped guide the borough to become the first county in the city to implement a jury duty call-in system.

The longtime Astoria resident also served as a board member of the Salah M. Hassanein Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens and was on the board of directors of Shareing and Careing, an agency supporting women with breast cancer. D’Amico passed away in 2010.

“This is a wonderful and special honor for a wonderful and special woman, who deserved not only this type of praise, but more,” said the D’Amico family.

Celebrating the life of another woman who made an impact on the borough, on Sunday, August 25, 73rd Street and 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights was co-named “Mary Sarro Way,” after a former Community Board 3 (CB3) District Manager and community activist.

Sarro served as the CB 3 district manager for almost 20 years. She helped make way for the borough’s first LGBT parade in 1993 and served as Sergeant at Arms for the 115th Precinct Community Council. She also played a large role in creating the 82nd Street Business Improvement District.

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