2014 Founders Award Winner

Sandra Benedetto

Sandra Benedetto was awarded the 2014 Founders Award. She served as president of NFWFWF from 2008 to 2010 and it was under her tenure that NFWFWF reached a milestone in its visibility as a local lesbian organization.

It secured a $25,359 community empowerment grant from the New York State Office for the Aging by partnering with Southold Town Senior Services, Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging & Longevity of Hunter College and the School of Social Welfare at Stony Brook University. Under Benedetto the “Aging In Place” project conducted focus groups with NFWFWF members, developed and implemented a survey to determine the needs of the aging lesbian community, identified gaps in local support services, and completed the first ever Resource Directory for seniors on the North Fork.

The organization’s outreach and visibility was dramatically furthered by Sandra’s technical know-how to expand and professionalize the NFWFWF website. She institutionalized electronic and online communications among members and linked NFWFWF to a national network of LGBT groups. The North Fork Women for Women Fund has Sandra Benedetto to thank for bringing us ‘digitally’ closer together and for helping to bring to light the needs of our community.

riends on the North Fork. In 2013 she married Chris Larkin, her partner since 1996. In retirement, they thoroughly enjoy living in Greenport with their adorable Chihuahua, Coco.