Sen. George Amedore has announced his choice of Margaret Graham, retired Greene County Director of Human Services and Director of Mental Health, as a 2019 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction. Graham, along with Columbia County Clerk Holly Tanner, and other women from throughout the state, were honored at a ceremony in Albany May 7, for their outstanding contributions, improving the quality of life in communities statewide. “Maggie has dedicated her professional career to advocating for and advancing initiatives to help the most vulnerable members of our communities,” said Amedore. “...Her work, commitment and advocacy has had a positive impact on so many and helped to build stronger, healthier communities throughout Greene County.” Among Graham's accomplishments, coordinating Crisis Intervention Training for county law enforcement and first responders to better equip them to recognize mental health symptoms, as well as how to react to individuals in crisis and get them the services they need. She was also critical in the formation of the Columbia-Greene Controlled Substance Task Force. Graham has served on the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Columbia and Greene Counties, the Rural Health Network Board, the Early Childhood Learning Center Board, the PAS it On Committee, and the Rural Planning Consortium. Graham retired in December after serving as a mental health professional for 37 years. NOTE: Tanner is an active WGXC volunteer programmer. Read the full press release at NYSenate [dot] gov.