Fourth Annual Regent Judith Johnson Sheroes Series

East Ramapo is proud to present the Fourth Annual Regent Judith Johnson Sheroes Series that is shared in the month of March in honor of Women's History Month. These clips are a tribute to remarkable women that inspire and empower our East Ramapo community, and are being shown to all of the students in the District. The exceptional readers in these videos are none other than our own East Ramapo students representing all 14 of our schools.

Watch the introduction to the series, presented by community activist and head of the Regent Judith Johnson Sheroes Series project, Carole Anderson. She is joined by two Early Childhood Center (ECC) kindergarten students Jerriah and Perrie. 

Magali Dupuy is a dedicated educator from Haiti who taught science in the East Ramapo Central School District for over 20 years, inspiring students through innovative lessons and a love for the environment. Awarded Teacher of the Year in 2013 and the William “Bill” Darden Education Award in 2018, Magali continues to serve her community by mentoring new teachers and advocating for education. Even in retirement, she remains a passionate volunteer, committed to supporting students' success in her district. 

Mery Mora is a passionate advocate for educational justice who moved to the U.S. from Ecuador to support her family and ensure a better future for her younger sister. As President of the PTA at Margetts Elementary School, Mery works to inspire parental involvement and improve public schools in East Ramapo. She is also an active leader in local organizations like Proyecto Faro and The Organization of Empowered Parents, fighting for educational equity and community empowerment.

Terry Rodriguez is a passionate advocate for educational equality and social justice who has been a dedicated leader in the East Ramapo community for over 35 years. As a single mother, Terry uses her personal experiences to fight for fairness, equality and better education for all students. She has been an active member of the Organization of Empowered Parents, the Spring Valley NAACP, and the Rockland Coalition to End the New Jim Crow. 

Darcy Casteleiro is a dedicated advocate for education and environmental issues who has spent her career fighting for justice in public schools and the community. After working as a drama teacher and journalist, she became chief of staff to Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, where she played a key role in securing funding for East Ramapo schools and passing important laws. Now retired, Darcy continues to work tirelessly to ensure every student in East Ramapo receives a quality education.

 

Keyry Broncano is a proud East Ramapo Central School District graduate who is a passionate advocate for education and social justice. After earning a degree in Fashion Merchandising from Berkeley College, she transitioned her focus to advocating for immigrant rights and improving education in her community. Keyry’s efforts, including organizing fundraisers, conducting research on social issues, and lobbying for better education, continue to inspire positive change for East Ramapo students.

Olivia Castor is a passionate student activist and Spring Valley High School graduate who co-founded the East Ramapo Student Coalition to fight for better education and student rights. A Harvard graduate with a degree in Social Studies and African American Studies, she played a key role in the successful lawsuit that led to reforms in the East Ramapo school board elections. Now an attorney at Kirkland & Ellis, Olivia continues to support her community by serving on the board of “The Fund for East Ramapo’s Public School Students.”
 

Lottie Swan Crawford was born in 1922, and was a trailblazing humanitarian and community leader dedicated to improving the lives of others. As the first African American Executive Director of the Rockland County Commission on Human Rights, she fought for fair housing, job equality and justice for over 60 years. Lottie’s legacy of service, compassion and advocacy continues to inspire future generations.

Dr. Augustina West is a trailblazer in education who has dedicated over 28 years to the East Ramapo Central School District. From inspiring students in the classroom to leading impactful programs as Assistant Principal and Assistant Superintendent, Dr. West’s legacy of service and leadership continues to inspire. Now retired, she mentors future educational leaders through her consulting firm.

Donna Lieberman is an advocate for civil liberties who has dedicated her career to fighting for justice and equality. As the former Associate Director of the NYCLU, she founded its Reproductive Rights Project and led efforts that secured critical legislation, including the Women’s Equality and Paid Family Leave Acts. Donna continues to support the East Ramapo Central School District, working alongside parents and students to create positive change and ensure equal rights for all.

Dorothy Miller is a pioneering advocate for education and community empowerment who overcame early barriers to become a successful professional and dedicated leader. A former IBM executive, she has tirelessly fought for safe housing, educational equity and fair representation in the East Ramapo Central School District. Dorothy’s unwavering commitment to justice continues to inspire others to take action for positive change.

Ashley Leveille is a dedicated advocate for education and youth development who has overcome significant personal challenges to become a leader in her community. After facing the loss of her mother and becoming a teen mother herself, Ashley graduated high school, pursued a career in early childhood education, and earned recognition for her work. She made history in 2019 as one of the youngest members elected to the East Ramapo Central School District Board of Education. Ashley continues to support at-risk youth through mentoring, serves her community through volunteer work, and remains committed to creating a better educational environment for the next generation.

Dr. Frances Wills is a lifelong educator and advocate for the arts who has dedicated her career to improving education for all students. A former superintendent, she currently serves as a New York State Regent, where she works to support arts programs and create inclusive schools. Dr. Wills has been a strong advocate for East Ramapo, working to address the district’s challenges and ensure every student’s success.

Dr. Tamara Lambert is a proud East Ramapo graduate who is a biomedical engineer and public health expert dedicated to reducing healthcare disparities. As the first CobiCure Fellow at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, she is developing a medical device to detect sepsis in children. With a passion for innovation, Tamara aims to make quality healthcare technology accessible to underserved communities, drawing inspiration from her own experiences with income inequality and global healthcare challenges.

Thank you, East Ramapo, for watching The Fourth Annual Regent Judith Johnson Sheroes Series.

For the past four years, East Ramapo has rolled out the exclusive Regent Judith Johnson Sheroes Series throughout the month of March in honor of Women's History Month. These clips are a tribute to remarkable women that inspire and empower our East Ramapo community, and were shared with all of the students in the District. The exceptional readers in these videos are none other than our own East Ramapo students representing all 14 of our schools.

The members of the East Ramapo Central School District Regent Judith Johnson Sheroes Series include: Carole Anderson, Anita Cunningham, Cassandra Horton, Jean Fields, Drusilla Kinzonzi, Teri Mersel, Frances Reid, and Robin Wren, along with District team of Information Services Assistant Gina Ruzzo, Executive Director for Elementary Schools Ellen Andriello, and Executive Director for Secondary Schools Dr. Beverley Jones.

On Thursday, March 27, with a packed house of enthusiastic supporters, the Sheroes Committee, Sheroes Readers, and the incredible Sheroes themselves were honored for their inspiring contributions to making this video series what it has become.