The Arts4All Foundation, in partnership with Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital, hosted a Community Holiday Meet and Greet and National Human Rights Month Celebration on December 20, 2025, in New York, honoring Olympic Champion Lauren Skye Scruggs. 

Scruggs, a Queens native, is a Gold and Silver medalist and the first African American woman to win an individual fencing medal at the Olympic Games.

In a statement, the Arts4All Foundation noted that December is recognized as National Human Rights Month in the United States, a time to honor individuals who demonstrate “bold leadership, courage, resilience, sacrifice,” and a sustained commitment to community service and social advancement.

As part of this year’s observance, the Foundation partnered with Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital to honor Scruggs and her mother, Stephany McClain, for their historic achievements in fencing, as well as Lorraine Chambers Lewis, president of Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital, for her leadership and service.

Scruggs expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying, “I am deeply grateful and honored to receive this award and praise from my fellow New Yorkers. Queens will always be home for me, and I hope my fencing accomplishments will inspire the next generation of athletes and leaders from the community to have the courage and drive to compete on a global stage.”

She also thanked Arts4All Foundation founder and event organizer Dr. Sumita SenGupta for the honor and acknowledged Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital for its work, particularly in delivery and postpartum maternal care. “Let my story be one of many for Queens,” she added.

McClain, the parent of four children involved in competitive fencing, including Scruggs, highlighted the role of family support in youth development. “I want to take this moment to say thank you to all of the mothers whose compassion and love have raised and supported all of us into the adults we are today,” she said. “Lauren is one of my four incredibly talented fencing children, and whether your child’s interests are recreational or competitive, it takes tireless dedication and a focus on wellness to make your goals into a reality.”

She added, “Lauren and I hope that our message resonates with the young children and mothers here today in that Queens is a borough of possibility, and through hard work, dedication, and stable support, you can achieve your dreams. When you achieve, we as a community all succeed.”

Dr. SenGupta said the event reflected the strength of partnership and community. “I am proud to partner with Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital and honor President Lorraine Chambers Lewis, Olympic Champion Lauren Skye Scruggs, and Stephany McClain for their extraordinary accomplishments,” she said. “Lauren and Stephany come from humble beginnings in Ozone Park, Queens, and their accolades are not just incredible personal achievements but a testament to perseverance, diligence, and the strength of families and communities coming together to overcome immense hardships.”

Addressing attendees that included cancer survivors, healthcare workers, children and families, and community leaders, Dr. SenGupta encouraged others to follow Scruggs’s example. “Let us follow in Lauren’s footsteps and continue to progress our communities through pursuing our goals, achieving our potential, and making milestone contributions for our families, communities, and world,” she said.

During her visit, Scruggs toured Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital, a 312-bed community teaching hospital and the most diverse medical center within the Northwell system. The hospital is part of Northwell Health, a nonprofit integrated healthcare network and New York State’s largest healthcare provider and private employer, according to the statement.

Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital is a Level II Perinatal Center, a 911 receiving site, a certified heart station, and a New York State-designated Stroke Center. Its specialties include maternal care, women’s and children’s health, cardiology, emergency services, laboratory services, bariatric surgery, gastroenterology, imaging, and urology.

“At LIJ Forest Hills, we are proud to host a program that reflects the strength and diversity of Queens,” said Lorraine Chambers Lewis. “Welcoming Lauren Scruggs, a Queens native and the first African American woman to win an individual fencing medal at the Olympic Games, is both an honor and a moment of pride for our community. Partnering with the Arts4All Foundation allows us to celebrate a historic achievement while uplifting stories that inspire.”

The event was attended by several elected officials, including New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Assemblyman Steven Raga, Councilwoman-elect Shanel Thomas-Henry, District Leader Hersh Parekh, and District Leader Rhonda Binda.

DiNapoli praised both healthcare professionals and athletes for their dedication under pressure. “It is astounding what New Yorkers are capable of doing under immense pressure,” he said. 

“The medical professionals in this room today work under immense pressure to deliver the highest quality of healthcare services. Lauren competes under immense pressure on a global stage and made history through her accomplishments by bringing home Olympic Silver and Gold medals for TEAM USA and the State of New York.” He added that he was pleased to join the celebration honoring Scruggs, her mother, and the determination of young New Yorkers.

Raga congratulated the honorees and emphasized the importance of continued investment in youth and community initiatives. “Lauren’s success has been possible because of her self-determination and the investments made by her family and our community,” he said, adding that he looks forward to continued collaboration with the Arts4All Foundation and Northwell Health.

Thomas-Henry thanked Scruggs and McClain for sharing their journey and reaffirmed her commitment to expanding opportunities for young people and families across Queens. She also expressed appreciation to Dr. SenGupta and Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital for organizing the event.

Dr. SenGupta concluded by thanking Akbar Himani, owner of Nanking Restaurant, for sponsoring lunch, and Kaushal Naik, owner of Hot Breads, for providing desserts, including an artisan holiday cake.

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