Senator Kemp Hannon announced the recipients of the New York State Senate Women of Distinction Award for the 6th Senate District.

The three recipients of the award are Mary Lou Arangio, Maureen Borzacchiello and Susan Lucci. They are honored for their personal and professional contributions to their communities.

"These three women have displayed their continued dedication to our community throughout their careers. I am honored to present them with this prestigious award," Senator Hannon said.

_Mary Lou Arangio has served her community of Farmingdale ever since her children began school there. She has served on the Farmingdale PTA and has been president of the Farmingdale Council of PTAs. She was a founding member of Project Cope, a committee to combat substance abuse in Farmingdale. Arangio is currently the CSEA president for the Farmingdale School District and the administrative assistant to the principal of Albany Avenue School. Throughout her career, Arangio worked as a child advocate who gives selflessly to her community.__

Maureen Borzacchiello has spent the past 15 years in the trade show display industry. In 2001 she founded Creative Display Solutions, now a nationwide display company that handles all aspects of its clients' displays. She has instilled in her company her own mission - that of "creating and building experiences that help her clients look great and feel amazing." Borzacchiello has worked tirelessly for increased economic growth of the Long Island business community and women's economic independence. She is the chairperson of programming and education for the National Association of Women Business Owners of Long Island and has shared her knowledge and experience with her community by speaking at educational meetings and seminars about entrepreneurship and women in business. Her achievements and comments have been featured on NBC's The Today Show and in Inc. magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Newsday, Long Island Business News, Business Week, TheStreet.com, as well as in other business media.

Garden City's Susan Lucci has played Erica Kane on ABC's All My Children for the past 35 years, winning an Emmy Award for Best Actress for her role in 1999. She was given a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005 and was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2006. Lucci is also a successful entrepreneur, launching the Susan Lucci Collection of hair care products in_1991. She followed this endeavor with several other lines of women's apparel meant for any woman. Lucci has always been dedicated to helping children. She supports Little Flower Children & Family Services of New York, the largest child care agency in New York State, and has served as the March of Dimes National Ambassador in 2000. Lucci also served as a celebrity spokeswoman for the Academic Medicine Development Company and The New York Cancer Project.

"These women really care about their communities," Senator Hannon said. "They have shown time and again their dedication to the women and children of Long Island, New York, and this country."

A ceremony in which Senator Hannon will honor the recipients of the New York Woman of Distinction Award will be held on Long Island. The state Senate awards ceremony was June 3.