Supervisor Daniel J. Panico and the Brookhaven Town Board honored the recipients of the 2026 Women’s Recognition Awards during the 40th Annual Women’s Recognition Night held at Brookhaven Town Hall on March 23. The ceremony, emceed by News 12’s Antoinette Biordi, was organized by the Office of Women’s Services within the Department of General Services.
The awards recognize individuals who live or work in Brookhaven and have shown excellence in fields such as arts, business, education, healthcare, science, and community service. Winners were nominated by community members and selected by Brookhaven’s Women’s Advisory Board based on resumes and letters of recommendation.
Among those recognized were Dr. Tammy Nuzzo-Morgan for Arts (Mastic Beach), Maria F. Camassa for Business (Lake Grove), Laura Mullen for Community Services Professional (Patchogue), Irina Richardson for Community Service Volunteer (Yaphank), Monica Pullows-Tetuan for Education (St. James South Country School District), Ellen B. Komosinski for First Responder (Brookhaven), Josephine Lunde for Government (Medford), Nicole Amendola for Health Care Provider (Rocky Point), Dana M. Castaldo for Legal Profession (Shoreham), Professor Anissa Abi-Dargham for Medicine (East Setauket), Phyllis Boccio for Military (Selden), Bettina Pennon for Religion (Mastic Beach) and Dr. Elke Aschenauer for Science (Rocky Point).
Special Commendation Awards from members of the Town Board were also presented to Honorable Angie M. Carpenter, Sydell Costell, Kathleen Weber, Rita Tsoukaris, Katherine Fritz, Samantha Maria Ciardullo and Kim Swicicki.
The Town of Brookhaven operates under a governance framework led by a Town Supervisor and Council overseeing community affairs and land management according to the official website. The town is associated with institutions like Brookhaven National Laboratory and Stony Brook University that advance research and education according to the official website.
Brookhaven contributes to cultural enrichment through maintaining historic sites that reflect its heritage according to the official website. It also delivers municipal services via various departments aimed at promoting resident safety, recreation and well-being according to the official website.
Located in Suffolk County on Long Island, Brookhaven protects natural resources such as Pine Barrens which sustain regional drinking water aquifers according to the official website. The town holds status as an officially recognized municipality established through historical land patents according to the official website.
For more information about this year’s Women’s Recognition Awards Night ceremony or services offered by the Office of Women’s Services—which provides support programs aimed at women and their families—residents are encouraged to call 631-451-6146 or visit www.brookhaven.org.
