Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara announced this year’s Women of Distinction honorees during a virtual ceremony. This annual event honors women from the 111th Assembly District and provides an opportunity to show our gratitude and appreciation for each honoree while learning more about their work in our community.

"No doubt, these are challenging times. The pandemic has affected everyone in different ways. It’s during these times of need that we are reminded of the many helpers that shine bright in our community,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. “Among them are the many extraordinary women in our community like that have made a difference in people’s lives. I am enormously proud of the work this year’s honorees are doing in our community and impressed by all they have achieved.”

2021 honorees:

• Diane Marco: As a lifelong resident of Rotterdam and an active community member for more than 40 years; as a public servant, Diane has served as the Town of Rotterdam’s deputy supervisor and town clerk as well as serving in a number of roles with numerous organizations including Rotterdam Girls’ Softball, Pop Warner Cheerleading and the Rotterdam Senior Citizens Association.

• Christine Andrzejczyk: Christine has for more than 20 years, the AMEN Place Soup Kitchen is where Christine has helped serve more than 500,000 meals to date and provides weekly meals to a local middle school backpack program.

• Alverna “Chris” Morris: Chris has made a name for herself as the director of Schenectady Landlords Influencing Change (SLIC), an organization that has provided critical support and a voice for small business landlords in our community for more than 11 years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Becky Daniels: Becky has demonstrated passion for the success of the Capital Region and is active with many nonprofits, holding senior leadership positions with the Board of Directors for the Schenectady County Education Foundation, Women United Leadership Committee, United Way of the Greater Capital Region, the Junior League of Albany, among others.

• Kelly Quist-Demars: As the President for Montgomery County’s Habitat for Humanity, Kelly is working for the betterment of our community; she also is an active member of GROW Amsterdam, and has volunteered locally for organizations like The United Way, Rotary Club, and Amsterdam Free Library.

• Mohini Randall: Never forgetting her roots and embracing her culture, traditions, and heritage, in February of 2017, Mohini and her husband opened “Taste of Guyana Roti Shop and Bakery” on State Street in the City of Schenectady and since then has become an integral part of Schenectady’s diverse business community.