Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) hosted his fourth annual Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 15, at the Village of Colonie Family Recreation Center. Five extraordinary women from the 110th Assembly District were recognized this year, with each honoree presented with a framed proclamation in recognition of their accomplishments. The awards seek to celebrate contributions women make to their communities and recognize their accomplishments, both of which have historically been overlooked or minimized.

“This year’s women of distinction have helped make the Capital Region what it is, and thanks to community members like them, who selflessly dedicate their time and effort to improving our region, it continues to thrive,” said Steck. “These awards help shine a light on the contributions women make to our communities that too often go unappreciated. It is an honor to recognize these exceptional women for their unwavering commitment to the people around them. Their leadership and compassion inspire us all.”

2026 Women of Distinction Honorees:

• Mary E. Brizzell has served as a government official for the Town of Colonie since the 1980s, including as a town board member, deputy supervisor and the first woman elected town supervisor in 1996, which she held until 2007. For more than four decades, Brizzell has been deeply involved with the Friends of the Pruyn House, previously serving as its town board liaison and president. She has served the Loudonville Association since the mid-80s, joining its Board of Trustees in 2009 and serving as its president since 2023. She was also instrumental in negotiating the use of land at The Crossings of Colonie for the Colonie Veterans Memorial and helped plan this year’s Memorial Day Celebration. Since 2008, she has been dedicated to supporting the Colonie Senior Service Corporation.

• Linda Harrison is serving her 13th year as president of the North Colonie Central School District Board of Education, along with co-chairing several of its committees. Harrison began her career teaching social studies at Shaker High School from 1971 to 2005. She then joined the New York State Department of Education’s Office of State Assessment as an education specialist, a role she continues to hold, helping to develop and implement statewide exams and assessments.

• Pamela Pearlman has served in a number of leadership and financial roles for more than four decades and given countless hours of her time to local organizations. Pearlman was executive director of the YWCA of Albany and worked for over 20 years as a senior tax associate at Ayco Company. She has been a primary organizer and leader of the Rose Garden Restoration Committee since 2005, overseeing major fundraising, volunteering and treasury projects. Pearlman helped register Friends of the Greenhouse as a nonprofit in 2015 and has served the organization as a treasurer, fundraiser, strategic planner and coordinator of city services. In 2023, she joined the Schenectady Foundation and serves as its vice president.

• Christina Staton is the executive pastor of Albany’s Empire Christian Center, where she has served for over two decades as a pillar of faith and support for her community. Highlights of her ministry include the Great Give Away program, which has distributed over $100,000 in cash and resources to area women, and her “Help Me” series that provides a safe and transformative space for women’s mutual aid and empowerment. The latter initiative has helped hundreds of people across the region and inspired Christina’s book “Help Me, I Am a Woman.” Last year, she launched the Capital Region Christian Women’s Conference, bringing together leaders and congregations for a multi-day summit.

• Carol Ann Werblin has dedicated over 55 years to serving as a registered nurse, sharing her expertise to educate school nurses and students, particularly about the challenges of being a person with epilepsy. Carol currently serves as one of the school nurses at Niskayuna High School. She previously served as the school nurse at Van Antwerp Middle School for 33 years. For the past five years, Carol has volunteered for Street Soldiers of Schenectady, where she provides baked goods, clothing and birthday cakes for individuals in need.