Five women were lauded on May 15 by Assemblyman Phil Steck at a ceremony at the village of Colonie’s family recreation center.

“These are folks who are quietly dedicating their lives to helping others, improving neighborhoods, supporting families, mentoring young people, and strengthening our community — and they often go as unsung heroes,” said Steck, who represents the 110th district, serving Colonie, Niskayuna, and part of Guilderland.

The five he named as Women of Distinction are:

— Mary E. Brizzell of Colonie

Brizzell was Colonie’s supervisor from 1996 to 2007.

Steck praised Brizzell for “always acting in the best interest of the town” and for her congeniality.

“She’s been very dedicated to preserving local history, supporting seniors and veterans, strengthening community organizations, and has made a lasting impact on a generation of town residents,” he said;

— Linda Harrison of Colonie

“She has dedicated over a half-century of her life to education and to ensuring students receive the strongest possible opportunity to succeed,” Steck said of Harrison, who is president of the North Colonie Central School District Board of Education.

After graduating from the University at Albany, Harrison taught social studies at Shaker High School from 1971 to 2005;

— Pamela Pearlman of Schenectady

Steck called Schenectady “a private sector town,” contrasting it with Albany, which he said is always soliciting money from the state. “They figured out how to get things done and, if you go to Schenectady now, it’s really made tremendous progress,” he said.

Steck praised Pearlman as “a pillar of the Rose Garden Restoration Committee” and said, “She helped create a greener, more connected and more vibrant community in Schenectady.” He also highlighted her work as executive director of the YWCA of Albany and as a New York State senior tax associate;

— Christina Staton of Guilderland

Staton, the executive pastor of the Empire Christian Center, “has spent more than two decades uplifting and empowering women through the Capital Region through faith, mentorship, and community leadership,” said Steck. “Through programs like the Great Giveaway and her Healthy Series, she has created spaces where women feel supported, inspired, and empowered to pursue their goals and purpose,” said Steck.

“My goal is to continue inspiring and empowering women to be whole and to pursue their God-given purposes while maintaining their personal convictions and their Christian values,” said Staton; and

— Carol Ann Werblin of Niskayuna

Steck said that Werblin, who served as a school nurse at Van Antwerp Middle School in Niskayuna for 33 years, has “dedicated over 55 years of service to being a registered nurse, sharing her expertise and knowledge to educate school nurses and students, particularly about the challenges of being a person with epilepsy.”

He also praised her “compassion, generosity and dedication to helping others.”