Senator Flanagan Honors Lake Grove Resident As His 2016 Woman Of Distinction

Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) recently honored Ellen Holmes of Lake Grove as his 2016 Woman of Distinction.  To celebrate the recognition, Senator Flanagan welcomed Ms. Holmes, a mother of three, to Albany to take part in a special Senate Women of Distinction ceremony.

Ms. Holmes is the proud mother of two sons, Andrew and Thomas, who are diagnosed with autism.  She has turned her advocacy efforts of her sons into a quest to help all children with developmental disabilities by serving as an Executive Assistant for the Developmental Disabilities Institute and the DDI Foundation. 

In this position, she has utilized her tireless work ethic and exceptional communication skills to help the Foundation raise significant funds to support the mission of DDI to provide over 1,200 families with the services they need.

In addition to her work at DDI, Ellen has also been an active member of Sachem Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA)from 1995 to 2015.  She also served as Corresponding Secretary for the Sachem SEPTA board from 1999-2000 to be a more effective advocate for the families that needed her assistance.

Ellen’s selfless dedication to her two sons and countless others has inspired her daughter Christine to also dedicate herself to this cause by gaining her certification as a Special Education Teacher.

"It is truly my honor to recognize Ellen for all she has done for our community.  Her ability to reach beyond her family to ensure that all children with special needs get the assistance they deserve is inspiring.  She has dedicated herself to ensuring that all of these children have the highest quality of life and access to the services they deserve and I am proud to work with her to fulfill her mission,” stated Senator Flanagan.

The Senate’s Women of Distinction program was created in 1998 to honor New York women who exemplify personal excellence, or whose professional achievements or acts of courage, selflessness, integrity or perseverance serve as an example to all New York residents.