New York State Senate honors 2026 Women of Distinction

The New York State Senate hosted its 2026 Women of Distinction program to recognize women nominated by senators from across the state for leadership in community service, education, public health and nonprofit work.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, introduced by the event emcee, praised the honorees for their commitment and resilience and reflected on progress in representation, noting that when her mother was born women could not vote. She singled out honoree Stephanie Marcasano and the Harris Project, recounting the project’s origin after the death of Marcasano’s son and its focus on co-occurring disorders: “Stephanie decided, like so many women here and so many of us, decided that she was gonna turn that pain into purpose.”

Senate Minority Leader Bob Orr called the event a bipartisan tradition and urged attendees to celebrate the honorees’ everyday work in their communities. The master of ceremonies and a presenter read a long roll call of winners, noting accomplishments that include large-scale philanthropic fundraising and nonprofit leadership across the state. The program’s readouts included claims such as regional grantmaking that has generated “over 90,000,000 in grants and scholarships” and individual fundraising totals, for example a teacher who “raised nearly $50,000” for the American Cancer Society.

Assembly leader Carl Hasty — introduced by Stewart Cousins as a partner in government — praised specific honorees and described a local capital project that he said was supported by state funding. "We were able to get the $60,000,000 to build that center," he said, and added that the facility serves about 30,000 people and more than 5,000 family units, describing the center as a sustained community resource.

Senator Leah Webb, chair of the women’s committee, closed the program with thanks to honorees, the Albany High School Albanettes and Troubadours, and event staff including Alejandra Paulino (secretary of all secretaries), Jane Frick (director of senate services), Tammy Madala (senior event coordinator), Shane Jones (events manager) and Eric Hopple (director of media). Webb closed with an inspirational line from artist Jill Scott: “we’ve got 1 life, let your glow show so that you become the embodiment of soul glow.”

The event was ceremonial and did not record formal votes or legislative actions. It focused on public recognition and remarks about community programs and fundraising successes; the Senate will continue the reception portion of the program after the formal ceremony.