Islip Honors 'Outstanding' Women At Town Hall

ISLIP, NY — In honor of National Women’s History Month in March, the Town of Islip celebrated several women who positively impact the lives of others every day at a recent town board meeting.

This month is a meaningful tribute to the countless contributions women make to the Town of Islip and beyond, officials said in a statement.

Irene Macyk, President of South Shore University Hospital, has deep roots in Islip—she now leads the very hospital where she was born. Beginning her career as a pediatric nurse, she rose through the ranks to become president, a Board-Certified Advanced Nurse Executive and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing—an honor held by fewer than 0.1% of nurses worldwide. Under her leadership, programs that prioritize community support have been put into action, proving that she strives to support health and wellness for all.

Macyk not only leads with vision but also embraces the community she serves, enjoying Islip’s parks and beaches. She is a respected professional, a compassionate leader, and she is the kind of woman that brings vibrancy to our community. As someone who has truly done her utmost to make the Town a better place, the Town recognizes Dr. Irene Macyk.

Islip Town Clerk Olga Hopkins Murray, esquire, has devoted her career to serving the town with professionalism and integrity, her dedication and leadership has made a lasting impact. As the town clerk for 12 years, a few of her many achievements include modernizing records, enhancing efficiency, and introducing new accounting software, but she has done so much more than that, the town said in a statement.

Murray led a bi-lingual office handling tens of thousands of annual transactions for Islip’s residents and businesses all while managing a diverse range of responsibilities. Her office was even awarded an Outstanding Review from the US Department of State as a Passport Acceptance Facility for their exceptional service. Now an assistant county attorney, she continues her commitment to public service. Beyond her career, Murray is an ardent volunteer and advocate for the Town.

Helen Moss has been a resident of Brentwood for over 40 years, during which she has become an invaluable member of the community. An unwavering advocate for education and student success, Moss has devoted her time to mentoring young minds in science and technology. Her commitment to education led her to serve as an elected member of the finance and policy committees for the Brentwood Union Free School District Board of Education. She is also a proud mother of two teachers, William and Tanya, who have followed in her footsteps. According to town officials, Moss has spent her life empowering others.

Rachel DeMolfetto and Karla Waldron are sisters who have made generous contributions as mentors, leaders, and philanthropists. Rachel DeMolfetto is the owner of Racine Salon and the visionary behind "Mondays at Racine," a Cancer Care Program offered by the salon, which has served the community since 2003 and helped more than 10,000 people. Rachel has enacted such positive change in the community, she has become known as a beacon of hope and kindness, offering thoughtful services to empower cancer patients and provide a moment of peace during their challenging journeys.

Karla Waldron has served in a leadership role at the salon as the executive director. She has expanded this cancer initiative into a movement that operates in 21 locations across New York State and seen substantial growth in the number of people they have been able to help. Karla also created the Long Island Beauty Ball, an annual event that’s now in its eighth year, this ball unites hundreds of businesses in the beauty industry in support of Monday Cancer Care. Both sisters have made an impact on not only cancer patients but also their families and shown their support through this life-changing work.

Founder and president of the Billy Moon Foundation, Kristina Anne Moon has spent 20 years in education. She worked as a teacher and literacy coach then as an assistant principal before tragedy led her to build the Billy Moon Foundation in honor of her late husband. Moon created a charity that provides support, advocacy, and awareness for organ donation and through that, has shown her perseverance, resilience, and selflessness to the community just as her husband had through his work as a firefighter.

"Once again, congratulations to these exceptional women, and our heartfelt gratitude for the dedication and hard work you bring to our community each day," Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter said. "As we take this time to celebrate, let’s also commit to ensuring that women’s voices, contributions, and leadership are supported every day—not just this month."