[Daisy Paez]
Senator Kavanagh: “I cannot think of anyone more deserving of recognition for her service than Daisy Paez…Her passion and commitment to this community come through in everything she does and in all her interactions with her neighbors.”
Photo: YouTube
State Senator Brian Kavanagh hosted a press event to honor Daisy Paez who was selected as the 2020 Woman of Distinction in the 26th Senate District.
Each year, the Senate honors outstanding women across New York who are impacting their communities while setting an example for future generations of New Yorkers.
Ms. Paez is widely known for her unyielding dedication to the Lower East Side, where she grew up and has resided for more than 60 years. She served as President of the Grand Street Guild Residents Association from 2014 through 2017. She currently represents her neighborhood as a Democratic District Leader in the 65th Assembly District.
“I cannot think of anyone more deserving of recognition for her service than Daisy Paez,” said Senator Kavanagh. “Daisy’s contributions to the Lower East Side will resonate for many years after her tenure. “She has been an outspoken advocate for safe and affordable housing, for the beautification of our community through the arts, for improved transportation services, and for youth development programs for Lower East Side residents. “Her passion and commitment to this community come through in everything she does and in all her interactions with her neighbors. She cares deeply, listens attentively, understands intuitively, serves diligently, and advocates forcefully. In these very trying times, she serves as a wonderful example for us all.”
Ms. Paez thanked Senator Kavanagh for the honor saying, “I am so grateful for your thoughtfulness and consideration in nominating me for this prestigious recognition.” She then talked about why she is so proud to be a resident of the Lower East Side: “Here on the Lower East Side humanity is at its all time best! Everyone collaborating together to provide food and PPE to the community and to check on the elderly and those that are most vulnerable to the pandemic. I cannot express enough my pride in being a lifelong resident here on the Lower East Side. I thank you all for bringing the best out of your inner selves during some of our darkest days.”
Also attending the event were Assemblymembers Yuh-Line Niou, Harvey Epstein and Dan Quart; Democratic District Leader Jenny Low; and many of the honoree’s fellow community leaders, family members, and friends.
“Daisy Paez is an incredible leader, friend, and support system here in the Lower East Side,” said Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou. “Her contributions to this community can be felt through her advocacy, her warm presence, her dedication to her Lower East Side community, and so much more. She is very deserving of this recognition and I am so happy to continue working with her in the future and seeing what else is in store. We are very lucky to have Daisy as our District Leader here in District 65.”
“Daisy is an incredible leader and a friend,” said Assemblymember Harvey Epstein. “She has been fighting for a better community as long as I can remember. She has fought alongside us to preserve affordable housing, keep our local bus stops, and so much more. I am happy to join in celebrating Daisy as a woman of distinction – it is well deserved and the Lower Eastside is lucky to have her!”
“When I think of what it means to be a community leader, I think of Daisy Paez,” said Assemblymember Dan Quart. “When Daisy and I went door knocking together in pre-COVID times, I was struck by just how many people knew her personally and were inspired by her. A principled and tireless advocate for her community, Daisy is more than deserving of this distinction.”
