Sen. Rolison Names Mann ‘Woman of Distinction’

ALBANY – State Senator Rob Rolison (39th District) announced that Linda Melton Mann has been named to the 2024 “Women of Distinction” list of honorees. Mann has more than 50 years of experience in the education field, having served as, among other things, assistant superintendent of school for the Poughkeepsie City School District. She retired in 2002.

The state Senate’s 26th annual Women of Distinction ceremony was held in Albany’s Legislative Office Building recently. Each member of the state legislature’s upper chamber may nominate one distinguished woman from his or her district “whose contributions have enriched the quality of life in the community,” according to the Senate website. Mann spent over 45 years in Dutchess County working as an educator, administrator, and child advocate.

“As I echoed in my ceremonial remarks, Linda Melton Mann is an inspiration and a force of nature. Her experience, commitment, and compassion for others made her an obvious choice to receive this highly distinguished award,” said Rolison. “I enjoyed spending time with Linda and her equally dynamic husband George and learning more about how Linda continues her community service as a board member and officer for countless impactful nonprofits and organizations in our area such as the United Way and NAACP.”

Following her retirement, Linda Melton Mann began a 10-year career as a college professor at Mercy College where she supervised student teaching. A wife to fellow educator George W. Mann and a grandmother of two, Mann holds a bachelor of science in health, physical education, and recreation from Central State University; a master of science in physical education and health from Hunter College; and a certificate of advanced studies in school administration and supervision from the State University at New Paltz.

“I am very grateful to Senator Rolison for naming me a 2024 Woman of Distinction,” said Mann. “He has been exceptionally supportive of my work and I consider him a partner in our shared goals of educational excellence, community service, and youth development. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees; your stories have inspired me, too. As I have said in the past, strong women will build a better society.”

Rob Rolison (R-39th District) was elected to the New York State Senate in November 2022. The 39th Senate District includes parts of Dutchess, Putnam, and Orange counties.