Greene woman named one of country’s most extraordinary

GREENE – Greene resident Jennifer O’Brien was honored last weekend as one of the country’s most extraordinary women.

O’Brien is the founder and director of the Magic Paintbrush Project, a non-profit organization that facilitates therapy through artistic expression for those with special needs and their families. It has locations in Greene, Norwich and Binghamton.

After being nominated earlier this year by Vestal resident Maureen Yacynych, O’Brien was selected from thousands of nominees as one of Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs’ “Celebrating 100 Extraordinary Women” contest winners.

The contest searched for women whose contributions to friends, family, community and society “have made a significant impact,” a press release from Nabisco states.

O’Brien started the Magic Paintbrush Project in 2005, after she’d seen the “tremendous” impact painting had on her own children, who have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Program participants literally act as human paintbrushes, working on a canvas that covers an entire room. The setting gives the developmentally disabled a chance to interact and express themselves in a safe, care-free environment.