Karli Forman Hagedorn of Port Washington was among those honored as "Woman Trailblazers" as part of the county's Women's History Month Celebration on Monday morning.

Legislator Wayne Wink (D-Roslyn) chose Hagedorn for her outstanding work in the Port Washington community, specifically for her work as a founding member and president of the Farms for City Kids Foundation, a non-profit organization that gives approximately 700 city children the opportunity to work on a dairy and cheese farm in Vermont for the summer.
   
Hagedorn is also president of Friends of Sands Point Preserve, which works to restore the area and prevent erosion that could destroy local property. Wink called the preserve "a treasure for all of Nassau County to enjoy." She has served on the boards of the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Buckley Country Day School, the Portledge School and the Family and Children's Association.
 
"On behalf of all of Nassau County, I want to congratulate you and thank you for everything you've done," Wink said.

Hagedorn reinforced the message of female empowerment as she spoke at the podium. "I'm a big believer in girl power," Hagedorn said. "I just want to say to the young women in the room ... feminism is not a dirty word, and I think we see the results of that today."

Others on the honor roll of trailblazers were Gladys E. Rivera of Westbury, Michele Witte of Merrick, Susan Cirigilano of Bellmore, Joan Meehan of Glen Cove, Ginger Lieberman of Plainview-Old Bethpage, and Barbara Berkowitz of Great Neck.

"You're not only our trailblazers, you're our heroes," said Legislator Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick).

Legislator Norma L. Gonsalves (R-East Meadow) added, "It is often said, never underestimate the power of a woman. And it's women in our society who, over the years, have made a tremendous impact on what's happened in our country, and, very slowly, throughout the world."
 
County Executive Ed Mangano, who spent 14 years as a legislator and has participated in the ceremony before, spoke to close the event.    

"I couldn't be prouder of the selections," Mangano said. "Obviously, the legislators worked long and hard to recognize people that are truly deserving, women who have made a great impact in our county, have advanced public services, and are just great representatives for our great county."