New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. last night honored five city leaders at his Women’s History Month celebration. The event was co-sponsored by the Women’s City Club of New York and The League of Women Voters of the City of New York.

“In Women’s History Month we look back at the countless figures who have struggled to expand opportunity for women,” Comptroller Thompson said at the event at Surrogate’s Court in downtown Manhattan. “Let us honor those in the past who were brave enough to stand up for justice and equal opportunity, and pay tribute to the leaders of today -- throughout our country, and here in New York City -- who are leading by example and demonstrating what we can achieve if we dare to.”

“Tonight, we are doing just that,” he added, noted Thompson. “We are honoring the accomplishments of a distinguished group of New Yorkers who, with their actions and their words, are achieving great heights and paving the way for the next generation to reach even higher.”

Thompson presented the first award to Della Britton Baeza, the President and CEO of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, Inc., applauding her important role in expanding opportunities for minority youth.

“Ms. Britton Baeza became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Jackie Robinson Foundation on February 2, 2004 – only the fourth individual to hold the position in the Foundation's 33-year history,” Thompson said. “In addition to overseeing the Foundation's programs to provide college scholarships to minority youth, Britton-Baeza has worked to expand the Foundation's exposure and outreach nationally.”

Pamela S. Brier, the President of the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, received the second award.

“Ms. Brier is widely known throughout the city for her commitment to public health policy and community service,” Thompson said, adding that: “She has successfully recruited top quality physicians, nurses and support staff and expanded clinical services and facilities. By developing programs that meet the needs of patients who speak at least ten different languages on a daily basis, Maimonides has gained a reputation for its dedication to humane patient care centered on the richly diverse populations it serves.”

Thompson presented the third award to Dr. Susan H. Fuhrman, President of Teachers College at Columbia University in Manhattan. Dr. Fuhrman is a nationally recognized expert on teacher excellence, accountability for school performance, and the changing balance of power between federal, state and local governments in setting school policy.

“She has made remarkable contributions to the field of education and as the leader of an exciting and critically important academic community in our city,” Thompson said.

The next honoree was chef and restaurateur Anita Lo, who owns popular West Village restaurant Annisa.

“Named one of the 500 most influential Asian Americans in Avenue Asia Magazine, her recipes have been published in The New York Times, Time Out New York, and Out Magazine,” Thompson said. “She has made outstanding contributions to the culinary life of New York.”

The final honoree was World and Olympic Chess Champion Susan Polgar, a five-time Olympic Champion who garnered 10 medals and won four World Championships.

“Ms. Polgar captured her first world title by winning the World Chess Championships for Girls under 16 at the age of 12 in 1982,” Thompson said. “In 1986, Ms. Polgar broke the gender barrier in becoming the first woman in history to qualify for the Men’s World Chess Championship at the age of 16. Though she qualified, her gender kept her from participating, and in response the World Chess Federation eventually was forced to change its rules and admit women players. She earned a men’s Grandmaster title five years later.”

The Melodia Women’s Choir of New York City, a 32-member ensemble of singers and instrumentalists, performed at the event.

For photographs, contact Marla Maritzer at (212) 669-2597 or mmaritz@comptroller.nyc.gov

.