Hillary Clinton receives leadership award from Westchester Parks Foundation

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton received the inaugural Leadership Award from the Westchester Parks Foundation at the Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle on Thursday night.

The Westchester Parks Foundation hosted its 46th annual gala. It said it honored Clinton for her "visionary leadership, commitment and dedication to the community," specifically for work in environmental sustainability and children's and disability rights.

"Hillary Rodham Clinton has traveled to more than 80 countries as a champion of human rights, democracy, and opportunities for women and girls," the Westchester Parks Foundation said. "She also worked to provide health care to millions of children, create jobs and opportunity, and support first responders who risked their lives at Ground Zero."

Earlier in July: Former President Bill Clinton, Hillary, author James Patterson seen at Pleasantville spot

Clinton has been a resident of Chappaqua since 1999 and active in the New York State and Westchester communities since. She served as a U.S. Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009. Before her time as a Senator, she was most notably the First Lady of the United States from 1993 to 2001 alongside her husband, President Bill Clinton.

Rodham Clinton went on to serve as the Secretary of State under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2013. She was also the first woman to become a major political party's nominee for president in 2016 but lost to former President Donald Trump.

“Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton’s advocacy work for the environment, children and people with disabilities has been remarkable," said Seth Mandelbaum, Westchester Parks Foundation chairperson. "We are thrilled to present her with the inaugural Leadership Award, as well as to celebrate all our honorees who truly exemplify commitment to the parks and open spaces that Westchester County needs to thrive."

Clinton was honored with other leaders who have made positive impacts on the community, including Wegmans Supermarkets., Montesano Bros, Inc. Construction in New Rochelle and Eileen Andreassi, owner of the Adaptive Sports & Therapeutic Recreation Program at Burke Rehabilitation in White Plains.

“Each honoree’s unwavering commitment to the environment helps us carry out our mission to invest in, advocate for, and enhance the over 50 parks of the Westchester County Parks system,” said Mendelbaum.

The Westchester Parks Foundation said the money raised at the gala will go to programs and services that "preserve, enhance and beautify Westchester County parks," including new trail education and teen empowerment programs.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Clinton receives Westchester Parks leadership award in New Rochelle