Council Member Julie Won and LaGuardia Community College President Kenneth Adams Honor Women Creating Better Futures for Children and Families in Queens
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (March 21, 2025) — Council Member Julie Won (26th District) and LaGuardia Community College/CUNY President Kenneth Adams co-hosted a breakfast on March 21 to present proclamations to five women from the Queens community for their dedication to improving financial futures, education, housing, and traffic safety for children and families. Council Member Won also recognized five community volunteers. The “Celebrating the Women of Queens” event is held annually during Women’s History Month.
Assemblymember Claire Valdez (District 37) attended the event and thanked LaGuardia for hosting the event with Council Member Won.
“A CUNY institution, like all CUNY institutions is an incredible working-class, entitlement for every New Yorker,” Assemblymember Valdez said. “Thank you all for raising a generation of leaders in our community, workers who will be on the front line in many industries. It’s incredible that in this district, we have women at every level of government leading the way, especially women of color. It makes a difference, folks. It really does.”
The 2025 honorees include Carmen Griffin, Technical Director and Operations Manager for the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC); Nicole Maguire, Professor and Director of LaGuardia’s Business Administration Program; Dr. Rosamond Gianutsos, First Vice Chair of Queens Community Board 2 and member of Families for Safe Streets and Transportation Alternatives; Christina Chaise, 2nd Vice President of the Ravenswood Houses Residents Association and Advocacy Coordinator for the Equitable Neighborhoods practice at TakeRoot Justice; and Whitney Thomas Toussaint, Co-President of the Community Education Council of District 30.
“At this year’s Women’s History Month celebration, we recognize the accomplishments of five women in our district who go above and beyond for the community. From their work advocating for street safety, public schools, and the needs of public housing residents, these women exemplify leadership and community empowerment,” said Council Member Julie Won. “Congratulations to our honorees and volunteers, and thank you to LaGuardia Community College for its continued partnership in organizing this event for the women of District 26.”
“It’s a privilege to join Council Member Julie Won in honoring women who make a difference at LaGuardia, in Long Island City, and across our city—from community-based organizations and advocacy groups to tenants associations,” said Kenneth Adams, President of LaGuardia Community College. “Council Member Won has been a true friend and advocate for LaGuardia and our community. I also want to thank Assemblymember Valdez for attending today’s breakfast. She just took office earlier this year and is already doing so much to support our community and LaGuardia overall.”
The 2025 ‘Celebrating the Women of Queens’ Honorees
Carmen Griffin has been a key staff member at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC) for over 30 years. As Technical Director and Operations Manager, she helps students, faculty, and visiting artists bring their artistic visions to life. She has been a mentor and advocate for LaGuardia students. Her efforts have enriched campus life with programs celebrating music, culture, and community. Beyond LPAC, Ms. Griffin has performed globally as a singer, songwriter, musician, actress, writer, and producer.
Nicole Maguire, Director of the Business Administration Program in LaGuardia’s Business and Technology Department, has been a dedicated faculty member since 1998. Professor Maguire is a member of the CUNY-wide Transfer Initiative Working Group, which aims to streamline the transfer process between CUNY campuses. As Chair of In-Service Training, she provides professional development in online teaching and platform training for faculty. She has collaborated with faculty from BMCC and Baruch College on a pioneering joint course development project for Business Communication, and she continues to work with Baruch on recruitment for the LaGuardia–Baruch Business Academy.
Dr. Rosamond (Dr. Roz) Gianutsos is First Vice Chair of Queens Community Board 2 and a member of Families for Safe Streets and Transportation Alternatives, organizations dedicated to improving street safety and promoting sustainable transportation in Western Queens. Dr. Roz played a key role in the Sunnyside Woodside Open Street project, through which the New York City Department of Transportation transformed 39th Avenue into a “calm corridor” with enhanced traffic safety and protected bike lanes. Dr. Roz also serves as a volunteer instructor for the AARP Driver Safety–Accident Prevention Course and is recognized for her work in cognitive rehabilitation and driver competency evaluation, often treating survivors of brain injury caused by vehicular violence.
Christina Chaise is a housing advocate and grassroots community organizer representing people of color, immigrants, and low-income residents in New York City. She is the 2nd Vice President of the Ravenswood Houses Residents Association, a member of the NYCHA Mental Health Taskforce, and a member of the Steering Committee of the Justice for All Coalition. As Advocacy Coordinator for the Equitable Neighborhoods practice at TakeRoot Justice, she trains public housing resident leaders on policies affecting NYCHA through the NYCHA Real Talk Series.
Whitney Thomas Toussaint is Co-President of the Community Education Council of District 30, representing Long Island City, Astoria, Woodside, Sunnyside, Corona, Jackson Heights, and East Elmhurst. Ms. Toussaint has secured critical funding and facility improvements for schools and collaborated with Council Member Julie Won and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez to ensure the construction of new schools in Hunters Point and Court Square. Her career focuses on enhancing diversity and representation of Black and other minority women in federal bank regulation, particularly in leadership roles.
Recognizing Volunteers with the Office of Council Member Julie Won
Council Member Won recognized five women who volunteer with her office, providing support on issues impacting District 26:
- Ashley Abid, Immigration response and Ramadan food distributions;
- Theresa Cottone, New York City School Construction Authority (NYC SCA);
- Kelly Craig, Education related needs;
- Laura Singh, Housing and land use items; and
- Melissa Tart, Supporting the participatory budgeting process, advocating for projects to further empower students with special needs, and providing volunteer support at backpack giveaways, holiday toy distribution, and additional events hosted by Council Member Won.
“These women stepped up when there were delays in opening the Court Square School, and assisted us in navigating the housing and education landscape throughout New York City. They have helped empower our community members who are often impacted by dehumanizing and restrictive policies,” said Council Member Won. “I extend my gratitude to these individuals for going above and beyond in helping our community and providing assistance whenever it was needed.”
Nominating Women for Recognition
Council Member Won invites constituents to nominate women who are making a difference in their community by emailing her office at district26@council.nyc.gov.
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LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), a Hispanic-Serving Institution, located in Long Island City, Queens offers more than 50 associate degrees and academic certificates, and more than 65 continuing education programs to prepare New Yorkers for transfer to senior colleges and rewarding jobs and careers. An institution of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his advocacy of the underserved. Since 1971, LaGuardia’s academic programs and support services have advanced the socioeconomic mobility of students from Queens, NYC and beyond.
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