Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that nominations for his 2023 Women of Distinction Awards are underway. The Women of Distinction Awards are held annually and honor local women who have had significant positive impacts on their community and those around them. Awards will be given for various categories, such as health care, business, volunteer work, and education. The deadline for nominations is March 31, and the awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 27 at 6 p.m. at Clinton Community College’s Stafford Center Theatre.

“March is Women’s History Month, and one of the best ways we can celebrate it is by honoring inspirational and influential women here in our own backyard,” Assemblyman Jones said. “The North Country is home to a great deal of brave, hardworking women who make their communities a better place for those who live there, and I’m happy to have this opportunity to show them the recognition they deserve.”

Residents who wish to nominate a woman for the awards can fill out a nomination form online at nyassembly.gov/jones. Nominees must live in the 115th Assembly District, which includes all of Clinton and Franklin counties and a portion of Essex County.

Last year’s Women of Distinction award winners were: Melissa Gooley for the Healthcare category; Jean McGibbon Goddard for the Perseverance category; Chief Beverly Cook for the Community and Civic Affairs category; Shantell Manor for the Education category; Chelsea Scheefer for the Community Advocate category; Robin Caudell for the Military Service category; Dana Fast for the Volunteerism category; and Rebecca Boire-West for the North Country Neighbor category.