In the words of her daughter Serena, “She inspires every single day.”
Audio interview from Centennial Park in Batavia-photo captured by a passerby
Batavia native Anita Strollo met with Video News Service at Centennial Park this past Thursday for an audio interview that led to a great conversation about what makes her tick and keep giving back to her community each day.
Anita had planned on becoming an orthodontist when she graduated from Notre Dame High School in the late 70s, but her counselor advised her that only men worked in this field and discouraged her from following that career path. The feeling of that moment has stayed with her during her lifetime and is a motivating factor on making others’ dreams possible.
While she did not pursue her original path, she has followed many others over the years that have assisted many in our community.
Strollo has spent her life being an advocate for youth as a college and career coordinator to help them achieve education and career success.She is a continuous leader in our community and uplifts others. Strollo has taken her own personal adversity and turned it into something positive for herself and her community. She created a new life after leaving an abusive marriage and became an entrepreneur launching Mommy and Me Cookie Company as a single mom with her daughter Serena by her side.
In the community she has led many initiatives, including the Kiwanis Bidding on a Brighter Future Gala, mobilizing volunteers and businesses to support the Justice for Children Advocacy Center, and she also is a proponent of inclusion and helped GOART bring their first Pride Parade to Genesee County.
The conversation started with Anita sharing a quote from a friend, sent to her via social media. The quote describes her “to a T’ she says.
“To strangers you’re a classy person, to acquaintances you’re a funny disaster, but people who know you say don’t never leave her unattended.’
Anita at last month’s BEA Award Ceremony at Terry Hills. Anita has been at the Genesee County BEA as a consultant since 2023.
Anita received a Women of Inspiration Award from the Genesee County YWCA last month.
Link to video of Award Ceremony from April 19th, 2026
Anita with her family, front/left, Joseph Forsyth. Back-from left Katherine Strollo(daughter in law) and Serena Strollo(daughter)