In 2002, the Legislature passed Resolution No. 786-2002 stating that each year in March, every County Legislator shall select a "Woman of Distinction" who resides in his/her respective Legislative District.
Legislator Esteban, Sr. chose Shermelee Carrasco Martinez as the “2023 Woman of Distinction” for the 16th Legislative District. She came to the United States from Lima, Peru at the age of 16. She had to endure many obstacles both as a female and Immigrant to make herself a successful Latina businesswoman that she is today. She quickly explored new opportunities and was hired at a ceramic injection molding company in Bohemia, New York. Her motivation to succeed propelled her ability to quickly advance as the youngest Latina female lead Supervisor. She had a lasting positive personal impact on all her co-workers which led to many of them becoming female supervisors within the company as well. She went on to work as a Plant Office Manager of a company that produced engineered Quartz Surfaces, known today as a multi-million dollar brand called Silestone and Consentino and are sold at all Home Depot stores at locations in the New York and the New Jersey area. She opened up her own successful Granite fabrication and cabinetry shop for the New York/Metro area currently known as Ultimate Stonework NY, LLC, where she worked tirelessly for over 11 years with her husband and currently are in business to this day.
She is a real estate investor of various residential properties that evolved into a career as a Certified New York State Realtor. She created and branded a successful professional team known as Team Sherca, a group of real estate agents that are given every tool to be leaders in the industry. She is a highly regarded business owner with a proven successful track record for outstanding client service, a skilled negotiator and one of the most successful six figure sales Latina Real Estate Agents in the New York and Metro Area. While serving as Director of the Board of the Peruvian American Chamber of Commerce, she assisted all diversely owned new and current businesses to grow together with the knowledge and influences that the PACCLI Organization could provide. She and other legislative members of Brentwood and Islip, as well as other ethnic Chambers of Commerce, collaborated together to start “Brentwood Restaurant Week” to the community where restaurants would be noticed and bring their passion for food to local residents to enjoy. She is an active member of the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and has was recognized as “The Latina Realtor of the Year” for her dedication and exemplary service as a role model and influential female in the real estate community. She received the “Woman Leadership of Excellence” award by The Peru to the World Expo for her contributions to her native Peruvian community. Her dedication will leave a legacy for current and future Latina female generations to come.
Legislator Esteban, Sr. said, “I am so proud to recognize Shermelee today for her outstanding dedication to the community and everyone she meets." He added, “She is a true success story and I know that she will keep making the world a better place. She truly personifies the definition of “Woman of Distinction”, and I am so happy to honor her today."