Human rights commission elects new chair

GOSHEN — Christine Sadowski, executive director of YWCA Orange County, was elected chairperson of the Orange County Human Rights Commission at its re-organizational meeting in January. Sadowski has been a commissioner for the past three years ,and was a major organizer of the commission’s first Human Rights Summit in May 2005. As executive director of the YWCA, Sadowski develops and oversees programs addressing women’s empowerment and racial justice. She has been working in the area of discrimination and prejudice-reduction for 20 years, and has worked with schools, businesses, and communities to break down the structural and systemic inequalities that exist in our culture. Sadowski replaces Dr. Roberto Calderin of Highland Mills, the 2005 summit’s creator, who stepped down after three years but remains on the commission. Others officers elected were: Kathleen Francese of Middletown as first vice chairperson, a Minisink Valley High School teacher and commission member since 2003; Wanda Vionet Cruz of Goshen as second vice chairperson, appointed to the commission in 2005 and currently the south side unit director for Glen E. Hines Memorial Boys & Girls Club. Preston Felton of Middletown, the first deputy superintendent of the New York State Police in Albany, joined the commission as its newest member, having been appointed by County Executive Edward A. Diana and confirmed by the legislature in December 2005. Other commissioners include: Curlie Dillard, Ruben Estrada, Chris Farlekas, Peg Jeffries, Dr. Hubert Lee and Mary Simmons. The commission, established in 1970, receives complaints of alleged discrimination because of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, arrest and conviction record and attempts to resolve such conflicts.