Several Queens civic leaders and elected officials gathered to discuss major issues in the city, state and country as a whole on Dec. 3 at the Douglaston Club. In addition to these discussions, three women — Queens Civic Congress Vice Presidents Rene Hill, Denise Winters and Elaine Young — were recognized by the Queens Civic Congress for their outstanding work in civics.
“It’s a pleasure to have everyone here as we acknowledge today, the remarkable contributions of women in civic leadership at the Queens Civic Congress,” Queens Civic Congress President Warren Schreiber said. “As we move forward, the Queens Civic Congress is resolute in facing the multitude of challenges before us. These include the ‘City of Yes,’ initiative, which threatens our single and dual family homes and residential communities. Also congestion pricing that unfairly targets commuters in all boroughs. We must embrace our collective duty to shape our future. Our responsibilities today will forge the path for generations to come.”
Hill is a member of the Addisleigh Park Civic Association. Additionally, she is a former chairperson of Queens Community Board 12 and a former board member of the NYP/Queens Hospital Community Advisory Council. Hill is an advocate for city organizations, believing that civics can lead to positive changes in any community.
Winters is vice president of the 109th Precinct Community Council, part of the Citizens Police Academy and president of the Holly Civic Association, which allows her to assist the members with any type of problem that may occur. She is also the board coordinator for Kissena Corridor Park, organizing “My Parks Day” events and bringing people of all racial and religious backgrounds together in the community.
Young is president of the West Cunningham Park Civic Association, where she also serves as the editor of the newsletters, acting treasurer and manages membership meetings. She also served as the first vice president of the Mid Queens Community Council, vice president of Children’s Education at Queens Botanical Garden and as a board member for the New York State Outdoor Education Association.
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng also swore in the new officers for the Queens Civic Congress.
“The work that you all do, literally as volunteers, is very difficult and you are literally the eyes and ears of our Queens communities,” Meng said. “And you see here with the bipartisan group of elected officials, these issues impact all of our families, regardless of your income level and regardless of your party affiliation. I’m so grateful as a Queens resident that we have all of you.”
Among those in also attendance for the Queens Civic Congress Legislative Reception were Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, State Attorney General Letitia James, Council Members Linda Lee, Joann Ariola, Robert Holden, Lynn Schulman, Vickie Paladino and Sandra Ung and Assemblymembers David Weprin, Edward Braunstein and Nily Rozic.
“We cannot do any of this work without all of you in this room,” Richards said. “This has really been one of the most trying times I think in my career. We are living through a time that is just unimaginable, but I think everybody in this room is part of a solution and I think Queens truly does have a unique story that we all have to tell. We have to appreciate the diversity of our borough and we have to continue to be that shining example of what it means to really be a beacon of hope and a beacon of the world. May we remain united even through our differences.”
