Two North Salem residents honored as “Westchester Women of Distinction”

North Salem Town Councilwoman Katherine Daniels and Allison Turcan, founder of D.I.G. Farm, were recognized as 2023 Westchester Women of Distinction at a ceremony hosted last week by New York State Assemblyman Chris Burdick.

The Women of Distinction awards recognize women who make a difference in their communities and to the people around them, and who reside within the 93rd Assembly District, which includes the towns of Bedford, Harrison, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, New Castle, North Castle, North Salem, Pound Ridge, and a little over half of White Plains. Burdick was joined at the ceremony by Westchester County Legislator Erika Pierce and Mount Kisco Mayor Gina Picinich.

Daniels was recognized for “working tirelessly, and in many different capacities, to improve the quality of life in North Salem.” Since moving to North Salem in 1996, Daniels has served as an attorney, a member of the North Salem Town Board (where she chairs the Capital Planning Committee, the Climate Smart Community Leadership Committee, and is liaison to the Ethics Committee), on the North Salem Central School District Board of Education, including as Board President. She was also a member of the town’s Comprehensive Planning Committee and Energy Advisory Panel and served as a Trustee of the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library. She is currently a board member of the North Salem Bridle Trails Association and is a volunteer EMT with the North Salem Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Katherine Daniels with her husband, Josh Leicht, Assemblyman Burdick and North Salem Town Supervisor Warren Lucas (Image courtesy of Jackie Mishler)

Mey Marple, who nominated Turcan, said, “as the Founder of D.I.G. Farm, Allison has created a teaching farm that runs through volunteer participation. Through hands-on experiences, volunteers learn about regenerative agriculture and take home some of the produce they help to grow. Allison has taken her commitment to local sustainable food systems to the next level with her latest initiative, the Westchester Local Food Project (WLFP). WLFP is a collaborative effort with organizations, schools, and the community at large, with the aim of embedding education at every step of the way. By encouraging volunteerism, participation, and engagement through educational events, WLFP aims to create a thriving and equitable local food system for the benefit of all in Westchester.”

Allison Turcan of North Salem's D.I.G. Farm with Assemblymember Chris Burdick (Image courtesy of Jackie Mishler)

Daniels and Turcan were among 39 women who were recognized at the ceremony.