Senator Webb announces her 2024 NYS Woman of Distinction Honoree

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) — Senator Lea Webb’s honoree for the 26th annual New York State Senate’s Woman of Distinction is one with 96 years-worth of leadership, integrity, dedication and vision.

Ms. Toni Norton, 96, of Broome County, was honored for her nomination at the 2024 Woman of Distinction celebration in Albany on May 14 where women from across the state met and celebrated a lifetime of achievements.

“For the past 26 years, the New York State Senate has honored a select group of remarkable women who have looked beyond themselves to forge stronger communities and create a better New York State,” said Senator Lea Webb.

Ms. Norton served as the Chair of Legal Redress Committee in the NAACP Broome-Tioga Branch for over 30 years and is now a member of the Executive Committee. Her “transformative” advocacy for racial justice, contributing to the fight for equity in the Southern Tier is what stood out to Webb.

“Ms. Toni Norton exemplifies these qualities through her lifelong commitment to social justice and community service. She is a beacon of hope and resilience, whose unwavering dedication has left an indelible mark in the Southern Tier. Her advocacy, leadership, and generosity reflect her dedication to community upliftment. Toni’s life exemplifies the power of compassion, justice, and service, setting a powerful example for all of us. I am truly inspired by her legacy and proud to honor her as the 2024 Woman of Distinction,” Webb said.

On top of her executive role in the local NAACP branch, Norton has been a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Binghamton for many years, and she is a founding member of Justice and Unity in the Southern Tier (JUST) advocating for better conditions in the Broome County Jail for the incarcerated.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Norton became actively involved with the Erioca Fund of Binghamton Philharmonic to honor patrons who donated their tickets to the fund which turned into an annual campaign to support the less fortunate.

“Ms. Toni Norton has not only embraced the work of peace through justice but has embodied it throughout her remarkable life. Her recognition as the New York State Senate’s 2024 Woman of Distinction is a testament to her extraordinary contributions and enduring impact,” Webb said.

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