Senator Lee M. Zeldin Honors Judy Pepenella, 2011 Woman of Distinction

Last night, State Senator Lee M. Zeldin (R, C, I- Shirley), honored Judy Pepenella of Patchogue as a 2011 New York State Senate “Woman of Distinction.”

Judy Pepenella is a single mom who is raising two teenage children and is an advertising account representative for a small business on Long Island. Ms. Pepenella has devoted the last two and a half years of her life fighting for her country as a member of a local grassroots activist organization. Her activism has led her to become involved in local, state and federal politics over the last three years.

Judy is a liaison with other grassroots state and national organizations and has managed their social networking outreach program. She has maintained daily communication with other organizers around the state and country and has helped organize a march on Washington which attracted more than one million patriots.

Her involvement in the community includes numerous volunteer roles including a Girl Scout leader, volunteer for the Jacobs Light Foundation, supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project and a member of the Patriot Guard Riders.

It is the classic American story of a private citizen, busily raising a family and pursuing a career, who becomes increasingly worried about the future of our country and her local community. Her concerns lead her to begin speaking out on her beliefs and organizing like-minded supporters to work for reform. This citizen-activism constantly refreshes our democratic system and is one of the most important sources of the continuing success of the “American Experiment” of self-government by a free people envisioned by our Founders.

Senator Zeldin explained that the Senate’s Women of Distinction program was created as part of the Senate’s celebration of Women’s History Month. The program, which started in 1998, honors exceptional achievement, personal excellence and outstanding, courageous and heroic actions on the part of individual women from all across the State. Each honoree’s photograph and biography becomes part of a special exhibit in Albany that honors and celebrates the unique accomplishments of exemplary women in New York.

“Judy Pepenella is an incredible woman whose work has made a difference in so many lives,” said Senator Zeldin. “I am truly honored to have nominated her as a New York State Senate Woman of Distinction.”

Senator Zeldin is pictured with Judy Pepenella at the Women of Distinction Award Ceremony held in Albany on May 24, 2011.