On Sunday, February 1, the Ridgewood Democratic Club honored Catherine Nolan for her commitment to the Club and credited her as the reason that it is still going strong after all these years. Cathy’s husband, Gerry Marsicano, accepted her honor from Janet Cardone, Westcott President of The Ridgewood Democratic Club. Cathy’s husband promised to convey to her the outpouring of love and compliments for her service to the community.
On Sunday, February 1, the Ridgewood Democratic Club held their annual membership brunch program. The well-attended event was highlighted by longstanding members, guests, friends, family, and elected officials as well as the honorees. The special brunch was also a dedication of a ceremonial permanent installation at the Club of former Assembly member and long-time Club member, the Honorable Catherine Nolan. As the Club brochure stated, “Catherine Nolan was a political leader in Western Queens, a Democratic district leader for over 30 years, and the delegate to four Democratic National Conventions. She successfully worked to elect Democrats and seats formerly held by Republicans. Cathy worked hard for the people of her district. Her record of service included supporting LGBTQ rights, worker safety, education, the arts, and securing funding for mass transit.”
The program continued to explain Cathy’s independent leadership in Albany and her major accomplishments as well as the support, respect, and admiration that she received from other elected officials and her peers. It states that in the early 1980s, Cathy, as a district leader, was instrumental in revitalizing the Ridgewood Democratic Club and turning it into a force within the Queen’s Democratic party. The Club helped elect Congress members, State committee members, district leaders, and other representatives to elected positions. And ultimately, the brochure concludes that Cathy Nolan’s commitment to the Ridgewood Democratic Club is the reason that it is still going strong after all these years. The club and the building would not have survived without her; thus the organization was dedicating this honor to her on this day with love and undying gratitude for her hard work, perseverance, and commitment to the Ridgewood Democratic Club. Cathy could not be at the special event, but her husband Gerry was there and accepted her honor and promised to convey to her the outpouring of love and compliments for her service to the community. It was noted that she served 37 years in the 37th district.
Ted Renz was also an honoree as his lifelong involvement in the community was noted with respect.
The keynote speaker was Congress member Nydia Velazquez. She is currently serving her 16th term in the House of Representatives for New York’s 7th Congressional district.
Additionally, Ted Renz was also an honoree as his lifelong involvement in the community was noted with respect. Born and raised in Ridgewood, he began his work in civic affairs planting trees and being involved in community beautification. And as a board member of the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society, he joined in saving the Onderdonk House. In 1978 Ted became a charter board member of the Myrtle Avenue Local Development Coalition known as the LDC. And in 1979 Ted was appointed to the Community Board and served on Community Board 5 on the Land Use, Transportation, and Public Transport Committee as well as on the Executive Committee for 25 years. In 1992 Ted became the executive director of the Myrtle Avenue Business Improvement District. Ted’s leadership helped revitalize Myrtle Avenue including streetscape improvements and projects as well as improving, revitalizing, and renovating the Myrtle Wyckoff transportation hub and creation of plazas and other improvement projects. He retired less than a year ago in 2025.
The keynote speaker was Congress member Nydia Velazquez. She is currently serving her 16th term in the House of Representatives for New York’s 7th Congressional district. In 1992 she was the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the House of Representatives and in February 1998 she was the first Hispanic woman to serve as ranking member of the full House committee. In 2006 she was named chair of the House Small Business Committee making her the first Latina to chair a full Congressional committee.
Jasmine Valle-Bueno was also honored at the brunch. She is a practicing attorney with over a decade of legal experience in criminal, civil, family, and housing law in trial and appellate courts. She is dedicated to making a meaningful impact through her career and as an accomplished attorney and community worker she has achieved many accomplishments on behalf of the community.
Also on hand during the special event was Assembly member Jenifer Rajkumar. She spoke about many issues that were of importance to the community and her steadfast commitment to speaking out on behalf of her district and working in Albany to bring positive aspects to the community.