Education, perseverance, and community service. For Lissetty Thomas-Johnson, these aren’t just values—they are the foundation of her life’s work. Raised by hardworking immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic, Lissetty learned early on the transformative power of access and opportunity. Today, as Head of Adult CARE & Central Reference at Patchogue-Medford Library, she puts those values into practice every day—advocating for language accessibility, building inclusive spaces, and empowering diverse families. We couldn’t be prouder to see her recognized as a candidate for the Advocate Award of the Year! Drop a ❤️ in the comments to congratulate Lissetty! @pmlib

✨ Meet Our Honoree: Rev. Claire Repsholdt ✨ Pastor of Lutheran Church of Our Savior & Gather: Long Island, Rev. Claire Repsholdt is a passionate faith and community leader dedicated to creating welcoming and inclusive communities. Through her ministry and advocacy for immigrant and workers’ rights, she inspires connection, service, and meaningful change. 💜 We are honored to celebrate Rev. Claire and the impact she continues to make in our community. Join us at our 33rd Annual Gala and celebrate alongside us! 🎟️ Get your tickets today — don’t miss this special evening!

We had a fantastic and eye-opening evening on Thursday, August 9th! We were honored to host Dr. Luis Gruberg, MD, FACC (Director of the Mather Hospital Cath Lab, Northwell Health) for an insightful workshop titled "Know Our Numbers: Understanding Your Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Sugar." Dr. Gruberg shared crucial advice on self-care, building healthy habits, and combating heart disease. Here are a few key takeaways from the presentation: Blood Pressure & Heart Risk: Cardiovascular disease affects over 40% of Hispanic women. Keeping track of your blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol is essential for prevention. Lifestyle Modification: Healthy diet choices (like the Mediterranean diet), regular physical activity, and stress management are key to long-term health. Breaking Bad Habits: Quitting smoking and managing weight significantly lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. We extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Gruberg for sharing his time and expertise with SEPA Mujer and our wonderful community participants! Interested in joining our upcoming workshops and trying new experiences with us? We'd love to have you! Call us for more information: (631) 980-2555 #SEPAMujer #HeartHealth #NorthwellHealth #KnowYourNumbers #LatinaHealth #CommunityWellness #MatherHospital #HealthyLiving