March 17th, 2023 – Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter and the Islip Town Board recently honored six women and organizations from across the Township as part of the Women’s History Month Celebration held during the March Town Board Meeting.

“The month of March is National Women’s History Month, and all of us at the Town of Islip are proud to celebrate women from all walks of life who positively impact our lives every day,” said Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter. This year’s honorees included: Connie Haab, Julia Burgos, Barbara Fitzpatrick, the Hon. A. Gail Prudenti, Nitza Franco, and the Women of West Islip organization.

Constance “Connie” Haab

Connie Haab has dedicated over seven decades to the service of her community. As a lifelong resident of Bayport, Connie is an active member of the Phantoms Hall of Fame Nomination Committee, and a founding member of the Bayport-Blue Point Heritage Association, as well as the Bayport Memorial Park Association, where she works tirelessly to honor local veterans and preserve the history of the hamlet.

For over 50 years, Connie has been a member of the Bayport Fire Department, serving as the Department Secretary, and an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary. Connie made history as the first woman elected to serve the Bayport Fire Department as Commissioner of the Department, a position she has held for the last decade. Along with her many accomplishments, Connie has also dedicated over 32 years to the Town of Islip in the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department

Julia Burgos

Julia Burgos has dedicated over 28 years to the Brentwood School District as a School Social Worker specializing in assisting Spanish speaking and immigrant families within the District. Julia’s passion to help others stems from her own experience as a Spanish speaking student facing the language barrier prior to the introduction of bilingual education programs.

During her career, she was an active member of the Special Education Parent Teachers Association, and the Brentwood Teachers Association Executive Council. In 2015, she retired from the Brentwood School District, but continued to serve the district when she was elected to the Brentwood School Board of Education. Presently, Julia is the First Vice President of the Board of Education, where she chairs the Security, Buildings, and Grounds and Technology committee, and is the Board Liaison for the Special Education Parents Teacher Association. Julia furthermore serves as the Vice President of the Long Island Latino Teachers Association, as a mentor with the Suffolk County Youth Council, and as Senior Adjunct Professor for Adelphi University School of Social Work.

Barbara Fitzpatrick

Barbara Fitzpatrick has been an active member of the Sayville community for many years. Her dedication to the community has seen her serve as the Co-Vice President of Having Friends Inn; Co-President of the Sayville Jr./Sr. High School PTA; as a member of The Women’s College Club, as well as a puppy walker for the Guide Dog Foundation. Currently, Barbara is active within The Sayville Civic Association, Chamber of Commerce, The Common Ground at Rotary Park, and the Sayville Village Improvement Society. Through her involvement with The Common Ground, she assists in the annual 9/11 Ceremony, leads guided tours of the Labyrinth at Rotary Park, and creates the Monthly Newsletter for the organization.

Barbara also serves as the President of the Sayville Village Improvement Society. In her role as President she has secured two new signs listing the Volunteer Organizations within Sayville, and is working with the Sayville Library to secure the names of the Founding Presidents of the Sayville Village Improvement Society who are currently only listed by their Husband’s names.

The Hon. A. Gail Prudenti

The Hon. A. Gail Prudenti presently serves our community as the Dean of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. Prior to her tenure as the Dean of Hofstra Law, Gail served in many high-profile jurist positions, including as the Chief Administrative Judge of the Courts of New York State; Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division for the Second Judicial Department in New York State; and Associate Justice of the Appellate Division for the Second Judicial Department in New York State.

In April of 2020, Judge Prudenti was appointed to a serve on the COVID-19 Recovery Task Force, where she oversaw the pro bono network of lawyers who aided New Yorkers impacted by the pandemic. The Task Force was established in joint effort by the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) and the NYS court system. Judge Prudenti has made it her mission to assure the public’s trust in the NYS Court System, and through her career has established many initiatives to enhance the administration of justice.

Nitza J. Franco

Nitza J. Franco serves our community as the Treasurer of the Salvadoran American Chamber of Commerce and Comite De Damas Latino Americanas (CODALA), where she utilizes her career in finance to positively impact the community. As Treasurer and a founding member of the Salvadoran American Chamber of Commerce, she designs, coordinates and manages all of the Chamber's events, which include the annual Pupusa Festival/Salvadoran Day, and the Central American Independence Day Parade and Festival.

Through her involvement of Comite De Damas Latino Americanas, she coordinates the annual CODALA Barbecue which raises funds to assist women-led businesses, cancer survivors and families in the community facing housing insecurity.

The Women of West Islip (WOWI)

The Women of West Islip (WOWI) was founded in 2010 by Regina Jacoby and Patty Vorilas, with the mission to improve our community through volunteerism, philanthropy and charity.

WOWI has established a senior scholarship program for West Islip High School Girls who make an impact in the community though community service, and support the West Islip School District’s essential pantry, providing necessary items to families in need. In addition, WOWI organizes the annual Family Night at the West Islip Beach, paying tribute to Sandy Hook victim, Madeleine Hsu whose memory we honor at Madeleine’s Playground.

The Women of West Islip additionally support such community organizations and events, as the West Islip Beautification Society; West Islip Historical Society; West Islip Association; West Islip Legion Post 1738; West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition; and the West Islip Chamber of Commerce. Through all their dedicated support, WOWI aims to make sure West Islip remains a great place to live and raise families. >

Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees.