The Mount Vernon Public Library and Mount Vernon Arts & Culture Society put together a photograph art exhibit recognizing 18 amazing Mount Vernon women at opening reception on Saturday, May 22nd. These women work tirelessly to uplift our community in countless ways. 

The dynamic Women of Distinction honored are Mayor Shawyn Patterson Howard, Ruth Hassel Thompson, Leslie Alpert, Elvira Castillo, Brenda Smith, Earnestine Dixon, Serapher Conn, Roberta Apuzzo, Frances Wynn, Priscilla Edmund, Joyce Cole Fair, Deborah Norman, Mae Carpenter, Judge Nichelle Johnson, Mailyn Irizarry, Maura Reilly, Catherine Webb and Jennifer Lackard. 

After the opening reception these powerful women who all have a history of tireless service for the community and city of Mount Vernon and beyond took place in a panel discussion moderated by First Vice President of the Mount Vernon Arts & Culture Gerrie Post in the Grace Greene Baker Community Room. There they were celebrated, given their flowers and certificates of recognition from Congressman Jamaal Bowman, State Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow, County Legislator Tyrae, Woodson-Samuel, Mount Vernon Comptroller Daren Morton. The powerful panel discussion was live streamed on the Mount Vernon Public Library Facebook page, you can also see the entire video below).

The event actually ran 2 hours pass its scheduled time and no one seemed to complain. The community room was standing room only and several young ladies stood up in the back the entire time as these Wonderful Women shared their wisdom and experiences. There was no way it could have been done in a shorter timeframe, especially since each woman honored could have been given at least an hour each and it still would not have been enough, but the Gerrie Post the panel moderator did an incredible job navigating through the discussion and given every woman a chance to be heard. This should be shared with all our young people so they can see the greatness in their city especially with our young ladies.

You can still visit the “Distinction” exhibit which opened on Friday, May 6, and will run through Friday, July 8, 2022, in the Mount Vernon Public Library Rotunda, 28 South First Avenue. Photographs were taken by Barry Mason, a popular New York photographer and painter who curated this exhibit.  For more information visit the websites: www.mvacs.co and www.mountvernonpubliclibrary.org. The event was sponsored by Jomida Associates, Century 21/ Janice Bingham and the Law Office of Lauren P. Raysor.

Look for a photo display of the event in our June 2022 issue of the newspaper.