Westchester DA Tabbed for Women's Hall of Fame

The Women's Research and Education Fund has announced Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore has been named to the Women's Hall of Fame this year.

The Women's Research and Education Fund is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1989 to promote equality and justice for women in Westchester County through training, education, advocacy and recognition. 

DiFiore is receiving the award for her commitment to justice, her special concern for domestic violence victims and her contributions to the quality of life for women in Westchester County. Other women who have received the honor include Hillary Clinton, Nita Lowey, Abigail Kirsch, Ruby Dee, Cecile Singer, Janet Johnson, Patricia Lanza and Dorothy Orr, who have received this prestigious award.

“I am extremely honored that the Women’s Research and Education
Fund chose me for this prestigious award, recognizing the importance of
our shared commitment to the cause of justice for women,” DiFiore said in a statement.

DiFiore was elected as district attorney in 2005 and re-elected to the office in 2009. Prior to serving as district attorney,  DiFiore was appointed by former Chief Judge Judith Kaye as the first woman to serve as Supervising Judge for the Criminal Courts in the 9th Judicial District in 2003. She was also appointed by Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman to serve as Co-Chair of the New York State Justice Task Force.

In December, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed District Attorney DiFiore as Chair of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics.

DiFiore will be inducted on March 30 during the 28th annual Woman's Hall of Fame and Scholarship luncheon at the Hilton Rye Town in Rye Brook.

Proceeds from the luncheon will go toward funding several of the Women’s Research and  Education Funds programs, including the Women's Enterprise Development Center and the “Her Honor” Mentoring Program.

A posthumous award will also be given to Karen Z. Bell. Bell was a lifelong Westchester resident who served more than 20 years as a court-appointed law guardian protecting the interests of children. Bell helped form the Moderate Means Panel at Pace Women's Justice Center, which provides affordable legal services to Westchester women.

Sixty-six young women will be awarded college scholarships totaling $205,500 at the ceremony.

Tickets for the Women's Research and Education Fund Hall of Fame luncheon and more information may be obtained at www.wrefny.org or by calling 914-305-5111.