Bed-Stuy Women Among Brooklyn's 'Extraordinary' Honored by D.A. Hynes

Two Bed-Stuy residents, Helen Wilson and Shereice Hunter, were among 33 extraordinary women from Brooklyn honored this morning by District Attorney Charles Hynes for their accomplishments and record of service to the community.

The ceremony, the 6th Annual Extraordinary Women event, was in recognition of Women’s History Month, and was held in the lobby of the Brooklyn Supreme Court building, located at 320 Jay Street in downtown Brooklyn.

“The honorees all have one thing in common,” said District Attorney Hynes.  “They make Brooklyn a better place to live.”  This year’s group includes educators, doctors, lawyers, community activists, pastors, mediators, fundraisers, founders of non-profit organizations, social workers, administrators and parent coordinators."

Some of Brooklyn’s Extraordinary Women include a woman who mentors families of children with Down Syndrome. Another founded an organization that has helped over 1,000 survivors of strokes and brain injuries. Another woman helps struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure.

Helen Wilson is a contract specialist who helps with job development for the financially disadvantaged in entry level construction projects. Wilson also is a member of the fraternal charity organization the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter #758, where she is a leader in her chapter and has raised $25,000 for cancer research and more than $5,000 for other charities over the last five years.

“I feel excellent, I feel honored to be acknowledged today,” said Hunter.

Shereice Hunter is an active community volunteer who devotes most of her free time feeding the homeless and visiting the sick and shut-in. Hunter is known to the many around her as someone who always has the will to help others, and she is most passionate about anti-violence campaigns that bring working alternatives for youth.

“I love Bed-Stuy, because it is a community that comes together, that’s proud of its landmarks and its people,” said Hunter. “The Vanguard Youth Council in Bed-Stuy was instrumental in helping me and my siblings get prepared for college, beginning at age 14. It changed my life.”

“These exceptional women serve as role models because of their selflessness, dedication and compassion. They give back to the community, trying to make life better for others. It is an honor for me to recognize these women for their outstanding work, which benefits the people of Brooklyn,” said Hynes.

“You know, it’s the passion that you have to help people—something you may feel is a natural or normal thing that you just do,” said Hunter. “But being honored today makes me realize that other people see greatness in you. It feels nice to know that things you consider about yourself to be ordinary, others consider extraordinary.”