MARCELLINO ANNOUNCES "WOMAN OF DISTINCTION"

Senator Carl L. Marcellino today announced that Rosemarie Kluepfel has been selected as a 2015 New York State “Woman of Distinction."

"I am proud to honor Rosemarie as a Woman of Distinction, and prouder still of the recognition she earned from neighbors, colleagues and friends for her achievements on behalf of our community," said Senator Marcellino.

Rosemarie Kluepfel is an Elwood resident and single mother of 3, who continues to make a difference in her community, devoting countless hours to helping others. Rosemarie approaches each project with enthusiasm, creativity, overcoming obstacles and leading by example.

Rosemarie is a NYS Licensed Banking Mortgage Loan Specialist for Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. In addition to her mortgage expertise, she is a writer, speaker and a member of several professional business organizations.

For five years Rosemarie coordinated a fashion show, soliciting the help of the Walt Whitman Mall, local residents and the media to raise funds for the Dolan Family Health Center to offset the costs of health care for those who lost coverage or were struggling due to the economic collapse.

In 2012, she wrote “Give Me a Voice” a song which tells the story through the eyes of a child being bullied. The song received a 5 star rating on ITunes, and all the money raised from the sales was donated to an anti-bullying campaign in order to help raise awareness in schools.

In 2013, after speaking at the VA Medical Center in Northport to a group of homeless veterans, Rosemarie was inspired to write the song “The Reason I Breathe” a song with Post Traumatic Stress undertones. She donated her rights to the song to the Fairway Foundation, the 501c3 arm of her employer so that they could use the proceeds of the sale of the CD to raise funds and awareness for the needs of our local veterans. She has since been an active advocate for veteran causes and a regular fixture at the Nathan Hale Post #1469 and other veteran related entities.

In 2014, the Fairway Foundation joined forces with the Office of the Suffolk County Executive to work to award 2 mortgage-free homes to local Purple Heart recipients returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. She has volunteered to utilize her previous back ground in construction and design, to help oversee the renovations, a major undertaking.

 Rosemarie has also solicited the help of the community to seek out other volunteers and donations toward the rehabilitation of the distressed properties. She has distributed paper Purple Hearts throughout Suffolk County to help raise the funds needed for the project.

 She hopes that the continued outpouring of community support will help bring to light, the need to alleviate the additional burdens of families dealing with PTSD, TBI, and separation of deployment, etc. She believes that having spouses, children and veterans sharing their stories among themselves may break the silence, removing the stigma of PTSD which contributes to the staggering number of suicides among our military. 

 "Rosemarie is one of the success stories that we can proudly share with all New Yorkers.  She serves as an example for achievement and excellence for our entire community. Her name now joins those of other women whose accomplishments, sacrifices and deeds on behalf of others are deserving of special honor," said Senator Marcellino.

Rosemarie was  honored at an Albany reception, where the winners photographs and biographies are displayed in a special public exhibit at the Legislative Office Building.

The Senate's "Woman of Distinction" program was created in 1998 to honor New York women who exemplify personal excellence, or whose professional achievements or acts of courage, selflessness, integrity or perseverance serve as an example to all New Yorkers.