Beigel Schulman Named Woman of Distinction

Linda Beigel Schulman of Dix Hills has been chosen the 2020 “Woman of Distinction” from the 16th Suffolk County Legislative District.

County legislators nominate a woman from their district whose character, leadership and contributions to her community are representative of the best of Suffolk County. 

Legislator Susan Berland chose Beigel Schulman, who has become an advocate for gun safety legislation after her son, Scott Beigel, was killed while shielding his students from gunfire during the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.,  on Feb. 14, 2018.

She was instrumental in the passage of the “Red Flag Law” in Florida, which calls for the removal of firearms from individuals who are deemed by a court to be a danger to themselves or others. She also advocated for a similar law in New York which, since its passage, has been regarded as the most comprehensive gun safety legislation in the country.

Her son worked as a counselor at Camp Starlight in Pennsylvania and, in his honor, Linda founded the Scott J. Beigel Memorial Fund to send underprivileged children touched by gun violence to summer sleepaway camp. Last summer, the Fund was able to send fifty-four children to three different camps in New York State.

“I am privileged and honored to be named the 16th Legislative District’s ‘Woman of Distinction’,” Beigel Schulman said. “I have worked and will continue to work for the enactment of reasonable gun safety legislation on both a state and federal level, to protect us all from senseless and preventable gun violence.”

“Linda has demonstrated resolve, resilience, bravery, determination and compassion through unfathomable loss and tragedy,”Berland said. “She is a tireless advocate for reasonable gun safety reform, a champion for change and a role model for all those who have been affected by gun violence. Her selection as the 16th Legislative District’s ‘Woman of Distinction’ is a designation that is well-earned. Linda is a woman to be admired.”

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