Assemblyman Eachus honored eight ‘Extraordinary Women’
There was one common thread as the eight women that Assemblyman Chris Eachus was honoring on Saturday spoke: They all took more time thanking those who have helped them along their way in becoming “extraordinary women”, as Eachus said, than they did talking about themselves.
The women were gathered at New York Military Academy’s Davis Chapel on the afternoon of March 23. There to honor them were well over 100 family members and friends, the assemblyman and his staff, and other area elected officials. It was the second time Eachus has hosted the ceremony; each of the honorees received a bouquet of flowers and a large NYS Assembly Proclamation.
The women were: Cornwall’s Virginia Scott, New Windsor’s Cara Martinisi and Gina Davis, Tompkins Cove’s Ellie Kassner, Monroe’s Raquel Rios Ortiz, Cornwall-on-Hudson’s Chris-tine McDonald, and Highland Falls’ Sallie Dorsch and Dr. Melanie Guerrero.
“Despite very different backgrounds, these women share an unwavering dedication to giving back,” Eachus said. “They know that volunteering pays us back — sometimes in more than what we give to others.”
Eachus said since being elected to office he has had the opportunity “to really immerse myself in all of their communities” and said he sees what they do. “They are among the hundreds of thousands “doing the right thing”.
“I’m truly honored to be here celebrating them,” he said.
A little about each of the women:
Cara Martinisi
Eachus called Martinisi, a wife and mother to three sons, one in Heaven and two on Earth. “a beacon of hope for thousands of families” as the founder of the non profit organization, Love From Heaven – Christian Martinisi Memorial Fund.
“Her passion lies in supporting families as they navigate life post child loss,” Eachus said. “Cara is dedicated to helping others heal and grow through challenges in life, whatever they may be.”
Martinisi thanked Eachus for recognizing her, and called out her “amazing board” for always supporting her in her efforts with the foundation.
Christine McDonald
McDonald, a 25-year teacher, coach, and administrator at area schools, including both Storm King School and NYMA, is the director of the West Point Association of Graduates CONNECT after school program.
Eachus praised her love of learning and sharing her talents with students of all ages through the years.
In her remarks, McDonald spoke about an idea conceived in March 2021 by former Highland Falls resident Janet Brown, to support the students of Highland Falls and Fort Montgomery with an entirely free of cost after school program for students in grades 3-8.
“CONNECT provides Highland Falls Intermediate School students’ high-quality experiences that support their academics and expand their interests,” she said, and thanked the many people who work daily to keep the program running. Many were in the audience. She was accompanied by her husband Rob and son Jefferson and missing her daughter Grace, who was travelling abroad at the moment.
Ellie Kassner
Kassner, who was escorted by her son Zenzi to accept her award, is the third-generation family business owner of W.H. Kassner, Inc. in Tomkins Cove and “a dedicated community advocate”.
“Her deep care for democracy, access to education and ethics has led her to sit on the boards of Ramapo Catskill Library System, Tomkins Cove Public Library, Garner Arts Center and the Palisades Institute of Dominican University.
She said she is “humbled by the support of so many people in my community; they continually show up,” Kassner said. “And I’m proud to be in the company of all of these remarkable women today.”
Gina Davis
“Gina continues to show love, grace, and leadership through her decades as a healthcare professional,” Eachus said. “She embodies the spirit and dedication of an Extraordinary Woman of the 99th District.”
Davis is a registered nurse and assistant nursing director at Access: Supports for Living. A nurse for over 35 years, has worked at Access since 2018, and most recently has taken on the role of assistant nursing director, where she leads a team of nurses.
Dr. Melanie Guerrero
Dr. Guerrero serves as a Highland Falls trustee, and her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination, Eachus said. She’s a practicing physician specializing in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, who retired from the U.S. Army in 2001. During her time in the Army she served in Iraq alongside the US Marines, earning a Bronze Star for her valor.
An immigrant from the Philippines, “her story is one of resilience, courage, and unwavering determination. She proves that with passion and perseverance, any obstacle can be overcome, and dreams can be turned into reality,” Eachus said.
Dr. Guerrero said her “heart is filled with gratitude and humility” in accepting the award, and added that she “never would have thought my accomplishments would be noted by a respected New York Assemblyman”.
“I am eternally grateful for the opportunities that this country has awarded me,” she said.
Raquel Rios-Ortiz
The mother of two teenagers, Raquel Rios-Ortiz is vice president of operations at Garnet Health Doctors, where she oversees the financial management, business development, strategy, and quality of all ambulatory care and urgent care sites in Orange and Sullivan counties.
“She is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and improving the health care system and prioritizing access to care for all,” Eachus said.
Rios-Ortiz said she was humbled to be honored.
“It’s important that we honor those in our communities,” she said, especially noting those in health care fields “who give their all every single day.”
Sallie Dorsch
Dorsch and her husband moved to Highland Falls in 2003, where they have raised their daughter Katie.
She has worked over 25 years in the Special Needs and Emotionally Disturbed Youth fields, but locally has volunteered in everything from local schools to the Sacred Heart Church Food Pantry. She’s the founder of Highlands United Youth and the vice-president of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce.
She came into Eachus’s life this past summer, he said, when the historic flooding caused serious damage to Highland Falls and Fort Montgomery. As the volunteer coordinator for recovery, Eachus joined her in doing manual labor, like unloading trucks full of water and food donations for residents.
Speaking, Dorsch had many in the audience who are part of her “team” stand, as she shared the recognition with her; “It’s not about me,” she said.
She also presented Eachus with several pictures of himself working in the community in the days after July 9 — “these bring back the memory of a summer of sweat,” the assemblyman laughed. He added, “if anything good came of the flooding, it was that it brought Sallie into my life”.
Virginia Scott
Scott, a lifelong resident of Orange County who is about to retire as a science teacher at Washingtonville High School, “invests her energy for the greater good and loves her community”.
“Ginny has dedicated the majority of her life as a community volunteer and activist who focuses on the betterment of her local community,” Eachus said.
The busy Cornwall councilwoman came to Eachus’ ceremony after attending a Garden Club meeting, he added.
She thanked “all the people in my life who picked me up at some point,” she said. Scott added that she’d love to get together with the other seven honorees at some point — “together we could do so much!”