The 2017 Linda Shohatee Memorial Costume Ball and Fundraising Gala

Dolly Coleman is a native of New York. At the age of 17, she became a victim of gun violence. Since then, she has had to live as a person with paraplegia and adjust to life in a wheelchair. During her two years of inpatient rehabilitation at St. Mary’s Hospital in Bayside, Dolly met Linda Shohatee. They became good friends, and Dolly was like a big sister to Linda. They went to dinner  often, and once attended a Katy Perry Concert together!!

Despite challenges and hardships, Dolly has remained committed to her education. She recently earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in History. Dolly will start graduate school at Queens College in the Fall of 2017. She has a long list of goals and is working towards becoming a lawyer. She also hopes one day to be able to own and drive a specially equipped car. Dolly has been an Assistant Teacher at St. Mary’s for six years. She has also served as an intern in an elder law clinic and in the office of a New York State senator. Dolly is grateful for her family and support system for helping her deal with her disability. She continues to strive for excellence and trust in God.

President, CEO, and active Haircolor Director, of Christie & Co, one of the largest salons in New York City. Lois Christie is an award-winning businesswoman and lecturer, who has recently served as the first female President of Intercoiffure America/Canada, a prestigious organization which represents the best salons in North America. Christie has been honored for her community service and has been recognized as one of the “Top Ten Women in Business.” She was also honored by Mayor Michael Bloomberg as one of the “Businesswomen of the Year,” and as one of the “20/20” Leaders” for her leadership and contributions to the community in both business and philanthropic arenas.

She was also honored by Mayor Michael Bloomberg as one of the “Businesswomen of the Year,” and as one of the “20/20” Leaders” for her leadership and contributions to the community in both business and philanthropic arenas. Other awards and honors include: “Outstanding Achievement in Women’s Rights” from the Queens Women’s Center of New York, “Humanitarian Award 2015” for her work with helping Sandy storm victims, “Woman of Vision Award” from the Working Organization of Retarded Children (WORC), and Star Network’s “Long Island Power Women in Business 2015.” Christie Salon has won the “Best of the Boro Award” many times; in 2016, it won in all seven categories! 

Lois Christie is an “Industry Icon” and was acknowledged by her peers with the “2015 Lifetime Achievement Award” and the prestigious Intercoiffure Falcon Award.Christie grew up in Queens, and attended beauty school in Flushing, determined to be a world class hairdresser and to own a salon. Forty-seven years ago, with a $1,500 loan from her uncle, she opened her first salon in Bayside with four other hairdressers, which later grew into one of the largest full-service salons in New York City. Her 8,000 square-foot salon now has more than 70 employees. In serving four generations, Christie and her staff have a reputation of caring about their clients. Besides providing beauty services, Christie’s works with many charities, including St. Mary’s Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, The American Cancer Society, Autism Speaks, and The American Heart Association. The salon sponsors Bayside Little League and many local school events.

Her 8,000 square-foot salon now has more than 70 employees. In serving four generations, Christie and her staff have a reputation of caring about their clients. Besides providing beauty services, Christie’s works with many charities, including St. Mary’s Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, The American Cancer Society, Autism Speaks, and The American Heart Association. The salon sponsors Bayside Little League and many local school events.

Allison Schlanger and Alison Qualter Berna are co-founders of apple seeds®, which operates all-in-one play spaces for families with children newborn to five. Located in New York City in the Chelsea/Flatiron neighborhood, on the Upper West Side and in Peter Cooper Village Stuyvesant Town, apple seeds® has incredibly unique indoor playgrounds designed by well-known children’s museum designers, over 100 classes a week - from music classes like songs for seeds, to art, cooking, science, construction, ballet, tap, movement, gym, soccer and language. apple seeds® strives every moment of every day to be a safe, clean, fun place for our community to gather, socialize and play.

Allison was born in New York City and raised in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. After college, she moved back to New York and has lived in the city since 1993. Allison is an Emmy-nominated television producer who worked at MTV Networks for over ten years. In 1996, Allison began volunteer teaching at a West Harlem elementary school. Over the course of eight years, she taught 3rd-5th graders current events and conflict resolution. Allison met Alison Berna and her beautiful daughters in a parent/child music class.

Alison grew up in Short Hills, New Jersey and has lived in New York City since 1994. After working in production at NBC News, she changed careers and received her Masters degree in Public and International Affairs from Princeton University, focusing on children. Alison then spent years working and traveling for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) where she managed a global program, using sports as a vehicle to protect children and foster their development in countries around the world. Alison met Allison Schlanger and her adorable sons in music class and instantly connected.