Patton was not always a politician. For many years she was a housewife. But in 1974 she decided to go back to school to earn a college degree, and eventually a law degree.

In 1975 she divorced her husband and moved from her native land, Brooklyn, to her current residence in Nassau.

When in New York City, Patton had done some political work but she said she experienced "culture shock" when she began to involve herself in local Nassau politics.

Getting involved was not difficult. After registering to vote, a local Democratic leader, who happened to be a neighbor, gave her a call and invited her to the next Democratic club meeting.

"It was not only a place to discuss politics, but clearly a place to meet neighbors," Patton says.

In January 1982, Patton, who had recently become a lawyer with a local law office, was tapped by the boss of that firm to run for the assembly that year.

Once in Albany, Patton, a member of the Democratic-controlled Assembly, had to work with the Republican-controlled Senate in order to get bills passed. But her Nassau Senate colleagues at first refused to work with her, she says.

"They need me as much as I need them," because of the split between the two houses, Patton says. "If they don't want to do business with me," Patton says, gesturing by flicking her hand out from under her chin, "goodbye and good luck."

Now Patton has taken on the issue of providing enough services to take care of the aged. She says she would like to chair a committee on aging in the assembly.

But other ambitions might prevent her from reaching this goal. The incumbent congressman, a Republican, is giving up his seat, and Patton says several people have asked her to run. Patton's response so far is, "I like it where I am.