Senator Marchione seeks nominees for "Women of Distinction" Program

Kathleen A. Marchione

March 8, 2013

Women

For Immediate Release: March 8, 2013

Contact: Joshua Fitzpatrick, (518) 455-2381, fitzpatr@nysenate.gov

SENATOR KATHLEEN MARCHIONE ANNOUNCES “WOMEN OF DISTINCTION” PROGRAM, SEEKS LOCAL NOMINEES FOR PRESTIGIOUS RECOGNITION

Senator Marchione provides nomination form for Senate’s “Women of Distinction” Program, asks applicants to return submissions by March 25, will honor all nominees during special local ceremony in May

Are you a “woman of distinction?” Do you know – and wish to recommend – someone special for consideration as part of the New York State Senate’s prestigious “Women of Distinction” Program for 2013? If the answer to either question was “yes,” then State Senator Kathleen A. Marchione (R,C-Halfmoon) wants to hear from you by Monday, March 25!

In observance of March as “Women’s History Month,” Senator Marchione today announced that she is seeking nominations from across the 43^rd Senate District for the State Senate’s popular and prestigious Women of Distinction Program. Women living in the 43^rd Senate District – which includes parts of Rensselaer, Saratoga and Washington Counties, and all of Columbia County – are eligible for nomination. A special advisory panel of local women will assist Senator Marchione in reviewing nominations for the 43^rd Senate District. The deadline for entry in the Women of Distinction Program is March 25.

All of Senator Marchione’s Women of Distinction nominees will receive an official Senate Certificate and have their many achievements publicly recognized during a special local ceremony being held in May. In addition, all nominees will have their picture and biographical information included as part of a keepsake local commemorative program. One applicant from the 43^rd Senate District will ultimately be selected by Senate Marchione and the advisory panel to be part of the Senate’s Women of Distinction for 2013 and honored during a public ceremony held in Albany on May 7. One nominee from each Senate District will be included in the Senate’s statewide Women of Distinction printed program, website and public gallery.

The advisory panel assisting Senator Marchione in reviewing Women of Distinction nominees for the 43^rd Senate District includes local educators, artists and business owners, all of whom have served their communities as leaders and volunteers. The panel includes:

· Linda Sharpe of Germantown, New York: As a dedicated, lifelong educator that has served children for 35 years, Ms. Sharpe served on the Recruit and Retain Committee in Granville County, NC. Additionally, while living in Elkhart, IN, she started a local version of the popular “Mom’ Morning Out” program. Ms. Sharpe also worked as a Credit Manager for a multi-million dollar business, in addition to substitute teaching. Ms. Sharpe’s literacy background is challenged as a volunteer who works with college students helping to improve their writing skills and she is a co-partner of Letters ‘N More, a small business that she and her husband established, and also the Sole Proprietor of a second small business, upcycled by lin;

· Susan Reynolds of Easton, New York: With a long, accomplished career in the arts, education and community involvement, Ms. Reynolds’ art teaching experience includes instruction in the public school and college level with SUNY Empire State College, as well as privately at her own gallery. Ms. Reynolds has exhibited her own works in acrylic, oil and silkscreen at various locations throughout the Capital District. Formerly, she owned and operated Gallery on the Hudson in Schuylerville. Her community activities have been extensive, dating back to the early 1980’s when she founded, and was the first President of, Schuylerville Community Theatre and was an early director of Adirondack Children’s Theatre. Ms. Reynolds has volunteered at the Schuyler House and is a volunteer for New Covenant Community Church in Greenwich. Presently, she is working in her private art studio in preparation for future exhibitions; and

· Sheila Lobdell of West Sand Lake, New York: A lifelong resident of Rensselaer County, Ms. Lobdell has more than 20 years of proven business management and private sector experience as Chief Financial Officer and stockholder of a family owned and operated energy company located in Rensselaer County. Ms. Lobdell is the Principal Broker, and also the owner, of a real estate agency located in Rensselaer County with 19 years of experience in this capacity, in addition to possessing 13 years experience as a New York State Licensed Broker. For the past 14 years, she has had the privilege and pleasure of managing volunteer ministries and enjoys spending time with her husband of 24 years and their three newly adopted children.

“Every woman is a woman of distinction and deserves to have her life story and personal achievements recognized, honored and appreciated. The Women of Distinction Program I am sponsoring does exactly that, which is why I am pro-actively seeking nominees from throughout our 43^rd Senate District to be part of this effort and have their lives, their work and their accomplishments commemorated,” said Senator Marchione who in 2010 was named a Senate Woman of Distinction.

“Women are leading in public office and serving their communities, state and nation. Women are running Fortune 500 companies, starting small businesses and launching new private sector breakthroughs. Women are teaching students, enriching our schools and mentoring the next generation of leaders. Women are creating new works of art that challenge, question and inspire. They are our mothers and grandmothers, sisters and daughters; every woman is a person of distinction making our world a better place. These are the women – the leaders, the achievers, the dreamers, the sources of inspiration and strength – that I seek to honor through my sponsorship of the Women of Distinction Program for 2013,” Senator Marchione concluded.

The deadline for entry as a nominee for inclusion in Senator Marchione’s Women of Distinction Program for 2013 is Monday, March 25. Copies of Senator Marchione’s Women of Distinction nomination form – and further information regarding the program – are available by calling (518) 455-2381, or e-mailing marchione@nysenate.gov. The 2013 Women of Distinction Program nomination forms are also available at Senator Marchione’s official Senate webpage www.marchione.nysenate.gov and have been posted on her Facebook page.