NYSW Buffalo Niagara Chapter - Buffalo, NY - Scholarships

Awards & Benefits

Lucy Mysiak Professional Awards & BenefitsLucy

About Lucy

Born in Buffalo, Ms. Mysiak was a graduate of Bishop  McMahon High School.

Lucy coordinated and implemented relief efforts to scores of victims following the December 27, 1983, explosion of an illegal propane tank on North Division Street in Buffalo.  She worked for three weeks without returning home to provide help to firefighters and those impacted by the catastrophic explosion which killed five firefighters, two civilians, injured many others and damaged a dozen city blocks, resulting in millions of dollars in losses.

Because of her experience, the Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency called on her to teach courses on emergency preparedness, taking her to most states in the United States, including Alaska, as well as Jamaica, Africa and countries in South America.

She served on the Erie County Disaster Preparedness Board and International Joint Committee of Emergency Preparedness for Erie and Niagara counties and the Niagara peninsula in Ontario.

She was a consultant in emergency preparedness for Wyoming County and the City of Niagara Falls as well as a member of the SMART Team of Erie County.

A native of Buffalo, Ms. Mysiak, was an annual Day of Caring volunteer and a member of the board of governors of the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County.  She served as a member and chairwoman of the Volunteer Services Committee of the United Way.

She was the chairwoman of the Community Hero awards and former J.C. Penney Golden Rule Volunteer Recognition awards of up to $50,000 a year to charitable organizations.

Ms. Mysiak was a member and chairwoman of the committee for fundraising events at the Franciscan Center, the Buffalo area shelter for teenage boys.

She worked with active-duty military and veterans to promote Western New York Armed Forces week, held each May, and was chairwoman of the public relations/community outreach committee for the multi-event week of ceremonies honoring the armed forces.

Ms. Mysiak was an advocate for women.  She was a member of the Women’s Action Committee sponsored by the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women.  She was also President of the Buffalo/Amherst Business and Professional Women under her leadership, the organization won statewide awards for shedding light on the achievements of women and the inequalities they face, during National Business Women’s Week and Women’s History Month.

Ms. Mysiak received the Woman of the Year award from the Buffalo Business and Professional Women and the Ampol Eagle Citizen of the Year award in government.

She was employed by the United University Professions at the Buffalo Health Science Chapter of the University at Buffalo since 1994.  She was a member of Local 1141, Communication Workers of America.

The NYS Women Inc. Buffalo Niagara Chapter Professional Development Scholarship, in memory of Lucy Mysiak, offers $50-$1,000 to qualified NYSW BNC members to cover up to half the cost of a chosen educational course or program. The award is offered for continuing education or career development in their field of choice. Multiple scholarships may be awarded throughout the year based on member interest and available funds. The scholarship winners will be interviewed and featured in Nike after using their awarded funds.

Note: Members may apply for scholarship funds once every two years

In order to apply, please complete the application below and mail to: NYSW BNC 121 Baywood Drive Cheektowaga NY 14227 or email to [email protected].
 

Scholarship Application PDF