"Women of Valor" awarded

The New Utrecht Reformed Church, in Bensonhurst, has conferred an honorary "Women of Valor" award on three women in the church's Parish House during a "Women's History Month" ceremony. With a theme of "Generations of Women Moving History Forward," those celebrating the contributions of women through valor, in Latin "to be strong," as in the "strength of mind and heart that enables a person to encounter life with personal bravery . . . the gifts of the spirit," were (left to right) the Rev. Terry Troia, minister at the church; honoree the Rev. Clara Woodson, New York Regional Synod area minister for the Reformed Church in America classes of Brooklyn, New York and Rockland-Westchester Counties; City Councilman Vincent Gentile; honoree Edna Schembri, a longtime member of the church; honoree Merrill Hesch, New York City Region, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Grants Office; Elder Susan Hanyen, Vice President of the Consistory of the New Utrecht Reformed Church, and State Senator Martin Golden.