Roosevelt Island Resident & Pioneering Retired NYPD Detective Mary Fitzgerald Celebrates Her 97 Birthday - Watch Video Of Mary Fitzgerald Honored As 2018 Woman Of Distinction By NY State Senator Jose Serrano

Roosevelt Island resident Mary Fitzgerald, a pioneering member of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), celebrated her 97 birthday last Friday, January 17. According to this 2018 NY Daily News article reporting on the retired Detective's 95 birthday:

Before heading off to work, Mary Fitzgerald typically checked her oversized handbag: Keys. Makeup. A .38-caliber revolver....

... "I thought it would be an interesting job," the razor-sharp Fitzgerald told the Daily News about joining the force in December 1952. "It certainly proved to be."

In the era of stay-at-home TV moms like June Cleaver, Fitzgerald broke down barriers on the pickpocket squad and then in the Intelligence Division....

NY State Senator Jose Serrano

Happy 97th birthday to my friend & 2018 #WomanofDistinction, former #NYPD Det Mary Fitzgerald!

Born in the #Bronx, she spent over 30 years serving NYC & paved the way for the more than 6,000 female officers active today. Had a great time visiting her today on #RooseveltIsland! pic.twitter.com/LRCPDViLeY

— Sen. Jose M. Serrano (@SenatorSerrano) January 17, 2020

and members of the NYPD including the 19th precinct.

Happy 97th birthday to this pioneer in policing!

We wish retired 2nd grade Detective Mary Fitzgerald the happiest of birthdays. https://t.co/iUES5XI0Sa

— NYPD 19th Precinct (@NYPD19Pct) January 17, 2020

wished her a happy 97th birthday.

Retired Detective Fitzgerald was honored on June 27, 2018 by Senator Serrano with the 2018 Woman of Distinction Award. Ms  Fitzgerald is shown below at the 2018 Woman of Distinction Award Ceremony with Senator Serrano, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal and NYPD Ceremonial Unit officers

and family and friends.

As reported June 26, 2018:

Roosevelt Island NY State Senator Jose Serrano will honor Roosevelt Island resident Mary Fitzgerald as a 2018 Woman Of Distinction. According to Senator Serrano's office:

On Wednesday, June 27th (tomorrow) Senator José M. Serrano (D-Manhattan/Bronx) will be recognizing pioneer NYPD Detective Mary Eileen Fitzgerald as the 2018 Woman of Distinction for the 29th Senate District.

A Bronx native, Ms. Fitzgerald had an illustrious career in the NYPD spanning several decades from 1952-1983. During her time in the NYPD, Fitzgerald protected several of the 20th century’s most iconic women— from Israel’s Prime Minister Golda Meir and Queen Sophia of Spain to First Ladies Jackie Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson and Nancy Reagan. She spent 31 years serving the residents of New York City in the NYPD before retiring in 1983 at the age of sixty.

"Women like Mary paved the way for the more than 6,000 female NYPD officers active today," said Senator Serrano. "Her incredible story, spanning three decades of serving the people of our city, is an important part of New York history and I am proud to honor her as this year's Woman of Distinction.”

The Woman of Distinction award highlights outstanding women living and working in New York State whose contributions have greatly enriched the quality of life in their communities and beyond.

Here's the 2018 Woman Of Distinction Award ceremony honoring Roosevelt Island resident and retired detective Mary Fitzgerald beginning with:

Part 1-  presentation of colors and singing of the National Anthem, RIOC President Rosenthal describing Mary Fitzgerald as an inspiration for other women,



Part 2 - Senator Serrano praising Ms Fitzgerald for her pioneering service and



Part 3 - Mary Fitzgerald thanking everyone for their presence at the Ceremony as well as expressing appreciation to all the current NYPD police woman (approximately 6 thousand) for their service.

Here's more info on Woman in the NYPD.

Happy Belated 97th Birthday to Roosevelt Island resident and pioneering retired Detective Mary Fitzgerald.