Senator Bonacic Honors Sullivan County Resident Barbara Martinsons as His 2017 Woman of Distinction

(Albany, NY)- Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I-Mt. Hope) is pleased to announce that Sullivan County resident Barbara Martinsons has been chosen as his 2017 NY Senate Woman of Distinction. The annual program honors women who have made exceptional contributions to their respective communities. Mrs. Martinsons was honored at a ceremony in Albany last evening, May 9, along with other women from around the State.

Barbara Martinson’s service and generosity to the Sullivan County community and region are legend among those of us privileged to know her. As a philanthropist, in 2016 she donated a building and parcel of land in the Town of Liberty to public radio station WJFF for its new home. To support the founding of the Time and the Valleys Museum in Grahamsville, from 2010 to 2013 she opened and operated Calliope on Main, a second hand furniture shop in Livingston Manor, the proceeds of which were donated to the Museum.

She serves as a board member of Hudson Link, and founded an organization, now thriving in NYC, that supports women alter release from prison. Retired from the workforce, she has volunteered for years as a teacher for Hudson Link in the local prison, helping inmates explore questions of good and evil and earn credits towards a college degree. Most recently, she participated in Dialogue2Change, an initiative of the Sullivan County Human Rights Commission, to develop creative strategies to overcome poverty.

Barbara founded and facilitates a women’s reading group in Livingston Manor, about to enter its sixth year, creating community and comradery among 10 women of diverse ages and backgrounds. She enhances our community through her appreciation for arts and culture, respect for history, fostering of beauty and her generosity to organizations throughout our community and region.

“Barbara has made a huge impact on her community throughout her life and it is an honor to celebrate her and her accomplishments,” said Senator Bonacic. “She embodies what it means to serve others, and I was pleased to nominate her as my 2017 Woman of Distinction.”