Suffolk County Courts Celebrate Women's Leadership With Inaugural Honor at Central Islip

Supervising Judge Hon. Caren Loguerio stood before a full Ceremonial Courtroom at the Cohalan Court Complex in Central Islip on March 26 and presented the inaugural Hon. Mary Werner Award to the family of her late friend, Hon. Theresa Whelan, turning a Women's History Month ceremony into something far more personal than a standard recognition event.

The award, named for a prominent figure in the Suffolk bench and given for the first time at this event, recognizes those who have demonstrated "leadership, mentorship and commitment to improving access to justice." Whelan, who dedicated her career to Suffolk County Family Court, received the honor posthumously; her family accepted it in person as Loguerio, who oversees Family Court in Suffolk County, delivered what attendees described as heartfelt remarks. A photograph from the ceremony captures Loguerio presenting the award to "family members of her late friend" - language that reveals how deeply personal the county's judicial relationships can run across decades of shared work.

The ceremony was hosted by District Administrative Judge Hon. Andrew Crecca and Suffolk's Women in the Courts Committee under this year's theme, "Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future." It was the culmination of a month-long series that included a recognition ceremony for Suffolk's female supervisory court officers and a widely attended panel discussion in which women in the courts shared their experiences with local high school students. Bay Shore High School's "Harmonaires" performed at the Central Islip event, drawing an audience of judges, court staff, legal professionals, family members of honorees, and members of the public.

Suffolk Family Court's caseload encompasses child custody, domestic violence, and family services cases, placing its judges at the center of disputes that shape the daily lives of county residents across every zip code. The courts have stated they will continue publicizing reforms and new initiatives tied to family services and access to justice in the months ahead, with the award expected to foster new connections between judges, court staff, legal aid providers, and nonprofit partners.

Suffolk County residents who need assistance navigating family court proceedings can contact Nassau/Suffolk Law Services at (631) 232-2400 in Islandia, or reach the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County, which has provided free criminal defense and family court representation to eligible county residents since 1964.