Highland Falls resident is Woman of the Year
Senator James Skoufis recently presented Ann Molina with the 2020 Woman of Distinction award, plaque, and Senate proclamation in her name.
Back in March, Senator Skoufis nominated Ann Molina for her lifetime dedication to enriching the lives of people in Highland Falls.
Each year, the New York State Senate honors a select group of women whose perseverance sets an example for future generations; every state senator is allowed to nominate one person per year and this year, due to COVID-19, there was no in-person ceremony in Albany, so Skoufis honored Ann Molina privately at his Newburgh district office.
At the brief ceremony in late October, the senator read the following biography of Molina:
“Varnese Ann Mims Molina (Ann) was born at West Point in 1951 and is a lifelong resident of the Town of Highlands. She earned degrees from both Long Island University and SUNY New Paltz. She spent 30 years in a variety of professional roles, working to improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Ann founded a local volunteer organization, the Hudson Valley Women’s Association and Friends, whose mission is working together to promote positive and influential community activities. Ann has led this group for over a decade holding spring recognition breakfasts honoring professionals and volunteers in the community, as well as raising money for college scholarships for local high school students.
Through this organization, Ann has helped organize community activities, bus trips, prom dress sales for high schoolers, clothing drives, annual youth basketball tournaments, and cancer walks. Ann also coordinates yearly deliveries for Thanksgiving dinner donations for those in need.
Ann is currently the Town of Highlands senior coordinator and has been the executive director of The Center of Highland Falls for five years. She has done extensive work with the Highlands Community Coalition and the Orange County Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council.”
Skoufis went on to praise the example Molina sets.
“If you live in Highland Falls, it’s likely that Ann Molina has touched your life in some way, whether or not you even know it,” Skoufis said during the presentation. “Ann is the epitome of a dedicated community partner and is an inspiration to the many that are lucky to know her. Ann’s work has resulted in thousands of young students getting the resources, help, and supplies they need to reach their full potential. I was absolutely honored to present this award to her and look forward to continuing to work together.”
Mims said she was honored.
“I’d like to thank Senator Skoufis for the honor,” she said. “He is a great community representative in the New York Senate and friend to his constituents. Community service is something I observed and learned growing up, from my parents and the incredible people of Highland Falls. The success of the Hudson Valley Women’s Association and Friends and Center of Highland Falls is because of the many giving and selfless volunteers in the Town of Highlands and surrounding communities. I appreciate the acknowledgment, but I share it with my family, friends, and good people in Highland Falls.”
Last year, Skoufis honored Colleen Pearce of Jay’s Deli in Woodbury as the 2019 Woman of Distinction.
