Leading ladies! Power Women gala honors Brooklyn’s formidable females
By Maya Harrison and Natallie Rocha
for Brooklyn Paper
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Photo gallery
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1/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre From left, gala emcee Lisa Evers, Fox 5 News, helps present honoree Michelle Neary her award with Victoria Schneps-Yunis. |
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2/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Chantevia Stapleton receives her award. |
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3/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Fourth from right, honoree Carrie Anne Cavallo, of Schpoont and Cavallo, is joined by her guests. |
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4/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Dr. Kim Best accepts her award. |
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5/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre From left, a guest from Broadway Stages accepts the Dynamic Duo Award on behalf of honoree Michelle Lee, along with Broadway Stages’ Gina Argento and Monica Holowacz, Dynamic Duo recipient. |
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6/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Angela Blum-Finlay and her guest enjoy the festivities. |
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7/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Hon. Alice Fisher Rubin receives her award. |
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8/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Gail L. Smith accepts her award from Schneps-Yunis and Evers. |
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9/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Briget Rein accepts her award. |
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10/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Hall of Fame Award recipient Margarette Tropnas is stunning in red. |
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11/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Sylvia Mariamoff says a few words. |
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12/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Monica Nation of JPMorgan Chase arrives at the gala. |
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13/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Cristen Agostinacchio and guest. |
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14/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Barbara Felker receives her award from Schneps-Yunis and Evers. |
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15/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Dr. Marilyn A. Fraser receives her award. |
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16/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Onida Coward Mayers accepts her award. |
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17/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Caroline P. Cohen accepts her award. |
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18/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Josephine Augello accepts her award. |
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19/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Sponsor Dime Community Bank helped make the night possible, and was on hand for the networking portion of the event. |
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20/29 | Photo by Arthur DeGaeta MetroPlus Health Plan helped sponsor the event. |
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21/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre SUNY Downstate Medical Center helped make the evening possible. |
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22/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre DMV Service Centers LLC / JSA Tags Inc. was a sponsor for the evening. |
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23/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Sponsor Northwell Health had a table set up for networking. |
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24/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Honoree Raisa Chernina says a few words. |
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25/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Schneps-Yunis, Global Leadership Award recipient Elizabeth Melendez Fisher, and Evers. |
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26/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Cloe Luv, center, arrives with her loved ones. |
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27/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Elise Pettus is congratulated by Evers and Schneps-Yunis. |
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28/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Honoree Angela Buccinni wows with her acrobatic skills. |
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29/29 | Photo by Corazon Aguirre Sonia Bonilla accepts her award. |
These ladies are nothing short of extraordinary.
Schneps Media praised the borough’s most influential women entrepreneurs, business owners, and community leaders at its annual Power Women Awards and Networking Event at Grand Prospect Hall on March 14.
Each female honored showcased a passionate, uplifting commitment to what they do, according to the event’s host.
“These are glamorous women who each have a story to tell that has helped Brooklyn for the better,” said Schneps Media President and Publisher Victoria Schneps-Yunis. “They deserve to take their time walking down this red carpet — it’s their moment.”
The event’s newest honor, the Global Leadership Award, went to Elizabeth Melendez Fisher, the chief executive officer and co-founder of Selah Freedom, an organization that concentrates on ending sex trafficking and exploitation worldwide.
Proceeds from the evening’s raffle went to the Selah Way Foundation, which aids in the fight against sex trafficking.
“I am so honored to win this award among these influential women,” said Fisher. “I think this event is so important to honor and uplift the women changing lives in this community.”
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award went to 96-year-old Sylvia Mariamoff. Better known as “the attitude lady,” Mariamoff is still giving back to her community by teaching Yiddish and hosting trivia classes two days a week at her local senior center. The honoree had some simple advice for aspiring power women.
“You can’t just stay in the house,” said the trailblazer from Sheepshead Bay. “It’s important for women to keep busy.”
Another honorable Brooklyn lady boss, Cloé Luv, is the chief executive officer of a non-profit, Brook Brovaz Development, an entrepreneur coach, and a music consultant. She also founded Women With Voices, a program that amplifies female stories and provides services to aid women.
“I’m a Brooklynite to the fullest,” said the East Flatbush native. “I could never live anywhere else — I’ve gone to many places, but Brooklyn culture is my soul.”
The awards shined as bright as the women receiving them — who will continue to inspire the community until next year’s festivities.
The organizers also recognized the sponsors (see opposite page) who made the gala possible: Dime Community Bank, MetroPlus Health Plan, SUNY Downstate, The Avondale Care Group, the firm of Schpoont and Cavallo, JP Morgan Chase, Broadway Stages, DMV Service Centers / JSA Tags Inc., Flushing Bank, Northwell Health, and Inwood Country Club.
Updated 1:10 pm, March 21, 2019
©2019
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