The best and brightest of Irish America were honored at the Irish Community Champions awards in New York on Thursday past, marking the sixth annual salute to our Irish American everyday heroes.
Among the honorees were New York City Council Member Danny Dromm who will bow out of politics at the end of this year. Since 2009, CM Dromm, who chairs the Council's powerful Finance Committee, has been a tireless advocate for Irish causes - in fact one of his last acts in office was to secure $1.5m towards the expansion of the Emerald Isle Emigration Center in the Bronx.
Congratulations to Eileen Sprague, recognized by the @IrishEcho as a Community Champion for her work on the Irish in New York Oral History Project capturing the experiences and contributions of Irish immigrants. "Champions" advance worthy community causes https://t.co/yobLFEd87w pic.twitter.com/WHC079LOcR
— Queens College | The City University of New York (@QC_News) December 3, 2021
Presenting the City Council veteran with his award, Consul General of Ireland in New York Helena Nolan praised Council Member Dromm's activism for LGBT rights and his leadership of the recently-formed Irish Caucus on the City Council.
STANDING OVATION: Joan Moody of the Harp & Shamrock Society of San Antonio presents to Michael Caplice and his mum Regina.
Honoree Michael Caplice, who represents the Office of State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli on Long Island, dedicated his award to his mum Regina, a terminal cancer patient who attended the ceremony in a wheelchair. Michael told the audience that his mum had been his biggest advocate throughout his life and nursed his late father during his own fatal battle with cancer. Regina Caplice was at pains to inform the Community Champions guests that Caplice is an Irish surname — hailing from the Norman invasion — and that when her husband came to the US, he was greeted with 'No Irish Need Apply' signs. The pair earned a standing ovation from the room.
Among the other honorees were Pittsburgh Comptroller Michael Lamb, Sister Marie Sorenson of the St John's Bread and Life which helped 230,000 families in 2021 alone, and Melissa Schulz of San Antonio, Texas, who fights for victims of domestic violence through her work in the state Office of the Attorney General.
You can see a full list of the honorees on our website.
