Mineola, NY - In a special ceremony at the Nassau County Executive/Legislative Building in Mineola, Nassau County Legislator Patrick Williams (D-Uniondale) honored Dr. Mary Cameron as the 2002 Woman Trailblazer from the 1st Legislative District. The "Women's: Trailblazers of the New Millennium" awards ceremony, now in its fifth year, celebrates Women's History Month by recognizing the extraordinary accomplishments and contributions of women throughout the county.

"Her community is everywhere and includes everyone," said Legislator Williams. "She works tirelessly to touch the lives of others, and we are a better community because of her."

Dr. Cameron is the executive director of the Uniondale Early Childhood Center, and her work at the center has garnered her recognition from New York State as she was the recipient of the NY State Governor Appreciation Award for Child Care Services. She has also been named the Professional Mother of the Year by the Coalition for Community Well Being and was recognized by the Nassau County Child Care Council for Dedicated Services.

She is an active member of the Black Business Women Association of New York State, the Association for Female Executives, Women for Affirmative Action and numerous other organizations. Dr. Cameron also serves on several professional boards including Child Care Council of Nassau County, Coalition of Community Well-Being, American Biographical Institute Board of Advisors, and the Coalition of Child Care of Nassau County.

In November 2001, Dr. Cameron was named as State Liaison for the State of New York by the National Association of Child Care Professionals. In addition, she was recently selected as a board member of Sustainable Long Island, an organization that focuses on strengthening communities.

With a Doctorate in Philosophy, a Masters in Business Administration and a Bachelor degree of Science, Dr. Cameron has been acknowledged in the World's Who's Who of Women, Two Thousand Notable American Women and the International Who's Who.

"Dr. Mary Cameron is an example of the difference each one of us can make in our communities," said Legislator Williams. "She does not ask for help or expect applause for all of her altruistic work. She does not expect others to bestow upon her gifts; she just carries her torch alone, like the great women of our past…Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and Florence Nightingale."