Strever honored at NYS Capitol for Women's History Month
Strever honored at NYS Capitol for Women's History Month
Red Hook Central School District
From left, state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Linden Avenue Middle School teacher Martha Strever and school Principal Stacie Fenn-Smith pose together. Courtesy photo Sen. Michelle Hinchey's Office.
There have been moments this school year, Martha Strever’s 64th, that have felt unreal.
Last week was one of those moments. Strever on Wednesday, March 19, was honored at the State Capitol as part of the Legislative Women’s Caucus’ annual Women’s History Month celebration. The event, which included lunch and a tour, brought together trailblazing women from across the state who have had a profound impact on their communities and were selected by their local lawmakers. State Sen. Michelle Hinchey chose Strever for the honor.
The Linden Avenue Middle School math teacher, who was accompanied by principal Stacie Fenn-Smith, met Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and others.
“I’m living in dream world. It feels like a dream world,” Strever said. “Being in the Capitol and standing there with the governor, I said, ‘How many people get to experience this?’ I don’t care what politics you’re in, this was purely women’s history day. How could it be me standing there?”
It was the latest in a series of honors and attention bestowed upon Strever this school year. She’s the longest-serving active teacher in New York and has three applications for Guinness World Records pending, including longest teaching career in one school, longest career for a female math teacher and longest-serving department head. Last month she was named among USA Today’s Women or the Year, the only honoree from New York, and has been honored by the state Education Department and other organizations.
State Sen. Michelle Hinchey applauds Linden Avenue Middle School teacher Martha Strever at the state Capitol in Albany March 19. Courtesy photo Sen. Michelle Hinchey's Office.
Fenn-Smith, one of many Red Hook employees who were once students under Strever, said the government staff in Albany “rolled out the red carpet for Martha.”
At the lunch, each official introduced their honoree to the room and explained why they were chosen. The teacher and principal had planned to take the group tour afterward but, Strever said, Hinchey offered to give them a personal tour herself.
“She was super. She stayed with us the whole day,” Strever said.
Hinchey, in a statement afterward, noted Strever broke barriers as woman teaching math and science in the 1960s. She called it “a privilege to honor” the teacher.
She “served as a constant role model — paving the way for future generations of women in STEM and showing the profound impact a great teacher can have on shaping students’ lives for the better,” Hinchey said. “We all remember that one teacher who believed in us and inspired excitement about the future ahead. For so many Red Hook students, that teacher is Martha.”
In addition to the gathering, Strever and the other honorees are featured in a display in the Capitol building’s concourse area. The state this month also opened an exhibit titled “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations,” which “explores the pivotal role New York women – from classrooms to boardrooms and from grassroots movements to global initiatives – have played in nurturing minds and inspiring transformative action.” The exhibit is located in the Governor’s Reception Room on the Capitol’s second floor and will run through the end of the month.