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Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) today honored Pam Carroad of Walden, NY at a special ceremony in the state capital as the New York State Senate’s 2008 'Woman of Distinction.'
Ms. Carroad was honored for her outstanding work as the Executive Director at United Cerebral Palsy, Inc. in Kingston and for her incredible community service throughout both Orange and Ulster Counties.
 
The 'Women of Distinction' program was created as part of the Senate's celebration of Women's History Month. It honors exceptional achievement, personal excellence and outstanding, courageous, and heroic actions on the part of individual women from across the state. Each honoree's photograph and biography has become part of a special exhibit proclaiming the unique contributions of exemplary women in New York.
 
'There are remarkable women in our midst whose lives, work, or special accomplishments contribute to making our communities better, our families stronger, our world more enriched, and serve as outstanding examples to others,' said Senator Larkin. 'The Senate's 'Women of Distinction' program provides a great opportunity to honor these women for their achievements and to thank them for the special pride they bring to our communities. Pam Carroad is one of these special women who truly deserves this honor and I’m just so pleased that her work and her accomplishments have been recognized in this way.'
 
As the Executive Director of United Cerebral Palsy of Ulster County, Inc. in Kingston, New York, Pamela Carroad has dedicated nearly thirty-five years to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. She began her career as a Speech Pathologist providing therapy services to both children and adults. Later, she assumed the role of fundraising and grant writing and was the driving force in the capital campaign that resulted in building the Community Rehabilitation Center in Lake Katrine. A tireless volunteer, Pam currently serves as a member of the Ulster County Early
Intervention Coordinating Council, the Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Committee, the Board of Trustees of Kingston Hospital and a Director of the Health Alliance Planning Board. She is also the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award presented in 2004 by the YWCA of Ulster County.
 
Pam has distinguished herself as a respected expert in the field of disability services and as a proactive community educator. Her work with the Taconic Developmental Disabilities Services Office, the Ulster County Housing Consortium, Cerebral Palsy Association of New York State, the American Congress of Community Support & Employment Services and Disability Service Providers of America is well known throughout the Hudson Valley. She works diligently to ensure that programs, services, and opportunities are made available to enable all people with disabilities to reach their highest potential. She strongly advocates for the rights of children and
adults with disabilities and their need for barrier-free access to their community. She continues to fight for funding to provide accessible housing and the necessary supports to allow people with disabilities to live independently and be part of the community in which they live. Pam has directly helped hundreds of children and adults with disabilities to grow, learn and develop each in their own way. Every day she gives support, guidance, loving care and respect to the unique individuals under her care.
 
A natural leader, Pam Carroad is an exceptional woman whose life is a testimony to her devotion to others. She has set the highest standards, her outlook is always positive, and her energy is endless. Pam is truly an inspiration to the people and families she touches and the community in which she lives.
 
Also joining Pam and Senator Larkin were Ms. Cathy Anderson, Associate Executive Director of United Cerebral Palsy of Ulster County, Inc. in Kingston, Pam’s brother, Arthur Carroad and Pam’s sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Brian McKay, who made the trip to Albany to help honor Pam.