For Women’s History Month 2025, the theme is “Moving Forward Together – Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.”

Seven women were honored for their contributions to the community in two separate events, including one at City Hall on Monday and another at the Peekskill Fire House on Tuesday.

The City of Peekskill recognized Jacqueline Simpkins, Carole Voisey, and Sandra Walton on Monday, while the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc., The Greater Peekskill Area Chapter recognized Judge Sophia Trott, Priscilla Augustin, Annie Grant, and Michelle Keller on Tuesday.

Both celebrations kicked off with artist performances, with Nina Belen Robins reciting a poem on Monday and Bria the Artist singing on Tuesday.

City of Peekskill recognizes Simpkins, Voisey, Walton

Honorees Simpkins, Voisey and Walton were presented with proclamations by Mayor Vivian McKenzie who said each brought much to the community.

Jacqueline Simpkins, a commissioner on the Peekskill Housing Authority Board, was recognized for making a positive impact on the lives of tenants and respecting their rights.

“I’m usually a behind the scenes person,” Simpkins said. “I don’t like to be front and center but I truly appreciate this honor.”

Simpkins, the wife of Peekskill City School District (PCSD) Board President Michael Simpkins, had a 30-year career as a school teacher before retiring. In that role, she brought compassion and patience to helping educate children with special needs, McKenzie said.

She is also a long-time member of Mount Lebanon Baptist Church in Peekskill.

There she has advocated for seniors by taking them to appointments, serving as a healthcare proxy, and teaching basic computer and phone technology.

Simpkins also serves as the assistant director for the church’s food pantry, completing the clerical work required by Feeding Westchester to run the food distribution site, which serves 150 households, McKenzie said.

Carole Voisey, the Executive Director of the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce since 2022, was recognized for the chamber’s “significant growth” under her leadership, as well as the recent successful merger with the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce.

According to McKenzie, Voisey dedicated much time and energy to create a “signature Chamber event which is held each March to highlight and celebrate the contributions of women-owned businesses to the local community.”

She is an active and engaged member of the Peekskill Rotary Club. According to the proclamation, one of her favorite events is the Rotary Chili Cook Off, where she led her team to the top prize.

Voisey has received numerous accolades and recognitions, according to the proclamation, recently being named as a 2024 Trailblazer in Economic Development by “City and State New York.”

Sandra Walton, the Vice President of the Peekskill City School District Parent Teacher Organization, was recognized as a devoted mother, community leader and advocate for education and youth development.

“This was very unexpected but definitely appreciate it,” Walton said. “My efforts go towards [the] next generation in hopes that they have a better future and the best experience while in Peekskill. So to know that my efforts are being acknowledged is very much appreciated.”

The PCSD Parent Teacher Organization works to build an exceptional school community for the benefit of all district children, McKenzie said.

According to the proclamation, Walton is a constant presence at various city community events, assisting in planning, volunteering and encouraging others to get involved.

“These women work a lot in our community and without women like these, we would not have the community that we have,” McKenzie said.

Black Women’s Political Caucus recognizes Trott, Augustin, Grant, and Keller

The Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus (WBWPC) event similarly honored four local women who have made an impact on the community. 

Opening remarks were given by Beverly Chang, followed by an invocation by Elizabeth Johnson, the Black national anthem performed by Bria the Artist, a short history of the WBWPC Greater Peekskill Area Chapter by Jacqueline Simpkins, awards presented by Simpkins and Felecia Grant Cummings, and a “fireside chat” with Mayor Vivan McKenzie and three panelists.

The “Community  Service” award was presented to City Court Judge Sophia Trott who began her ten year term as a full time judge in January. Trott chairs the Peekskill NAACP Criminal Justice Committee, led a successful gun buyback event, and is the founder of the Law Office of Sophia L. Trott.

Trott served as a former president of the Westchester Black Bar Association and on various boards, and according to presenters is dedicated to mentoring youth and continuing advocacy for justice and equality.

“I know being a woman in these times are difficult,” Trott said. “It seems that we’re going backwards, especially with what’s going on the federal level, but I want you to just keep holding on and knowing that things will get better.”

Trott also received a New York State Assembly Certificate of Merit from Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg for the community service award (who was not at the event) .

The “Dr. Hazel N. Dukes for political activism” award was presented to Priscilla Augustin, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Peekskill Chapter.

Augustin previously served as a tutor to migrants at an elementary school and a youth ministry counselor in high school. She is a member of Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Peekskill where she has served as the children’s Sunday school church facilitator for the past two years and a half. 

At the NAACP, she has worked to foster collaboration between local officials, faith leaders and school district leaders. Augustin previously was awarded the 2025 Black Excellence Award and the 2023 Community Engagement Award.

Presenters said her career spanned social services, including foster care programs, domestic violence services and recreational programs. As former owner of Z Recording Studio, Augustin provided vocal training and performed in musical plays in church choirs. 

Upon accepting the award, Augustin honored the late Dr. Hazel Dukes for whom the award was named after and who was a previous president of the national NAACP. Dukes passed away on March 1. Augustin also received a certificate from Levenberg.

“We all know that Dr. Dukes was a fierce woman,” Augustin said. “She’d fight for those who could not fight for themselves. She fought for herself as one of those first women to be able to live in these residential gardens out in Queens. So I don’t take this position very lightly. I take it very seriously.”

The “Lifetime Achievement” award was presented to one of the WBWPC’s Peekskill chapter’s first members Mrs. Annie Grant.

Grant is a founding member of the Peekskill Chapter of the Westchester Bible Caucus, holding several positions across nearly 50 years, including corresponding secretary, vice president, president, and director. 

As a district leader in the Yorktown Democratic Committee, Grant convinced the Peekskill chapter to become active in local, state and national elections, Simpkins said.

Grant has been a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for over 40 years, served as chaplain, journalist, and chaired committees focusing on social action initiatives such as feeding the homeless, donating clothes and tutoring students. After a 28-year-career as a special education teacher with the Greenburgh 11 Union Free School District, Grant retired.

“The caucus has been like an extended family to me,” Grant said. “And like a family, I’ve loved, nurtured, cared, respected all the members. And there’s been friendships and we’ve had a lot of fun. My greatest hope is that the members will continue to be like an extended family.”

The “President’s Award” was presented to WBWPC Greater Peekskill Area chapter member Michelle Keller who was described as someone who always has her boots on the ground doing political things for the upbuilding of women, and her union.

“Faith is escaping. Democracy is escaping,” Keller said. “It’s something that you have to work for, day in, day out. We make America. We’ll get by.”