Senator Martins Names Manhasset Resident Sue Auriemma a New York State Senate Woman of Distinction

    Photo caption: Senator Martins congratulates Sue Auriemma on being named a New York State Senate Woman of Distinction during a Senate ceremony in Albany.

     Senator Jack M. Martins (R-7th Senate District) recently named Manhasset resident Sue Auriemma a New York State Senate Woman of Distinction. 

     “Sue Auriemma’s devotion and passion for helping others is truly remarkable. Whether it’s improving safety along Plandome Road in Manhasset or traveling throughout the country to protect children, Sue works day after day to make life better for others. She is truly a woman of distinction, and it is my pleasure to congratulate her on earning this well deserved honor,” said Senator Martins. 

     Sue’s life was forever changed by a near-tragedy. When Sue was backing her SUV up a driveway, her youngest daughter ran out of the house behind the vehicle, where Sue was unable to see her, and was struck. Her daughter survived with only minor injuries, and Sue immersed herself in advocacy to help save lives and protect other families.

     What started with a letter to her local community newspaper grew into Sue becoming a national safety advocate, appearing on television and traveling across the nation to tell her story and discuss steps drivers can take to prevent backover tragedies. She joined with other families nationwide and KidsAndCars.org, a national nonprofit child safety organization dedicated to preventing injuries and death to children in or around motor vehicles, in working to get a federal law passed that served to establish a rearward visibility standard for motor vehicles and will result in rearview cameras as standard equipment on all cars by 2018. Sue now serves as a Vice-President with KidsAndCars.org, doing public education, raising awareness about backovers and non-crash incidents, and working with survivor advocate families.

     Locally, Sue co-chaired the Coalition for a Safer Manhasset, an organization to improve safety for pedestrians and drivers through the Manhasset business district. The Coalition has worked to enhance safety along Plandome Road and encourage drivers and pedestrians to be more safety conscious. Sue also served as a Trustee for the Village of Munsey Park and is involved with numerous local community organizations.

     In recognition of her efforts, Sue was named an “Exceptional Mother of Inspiration” by KidsAndCars.org and inducted into the Town of North Hempstead’s May W. Newburger Women’s Roll of Honor.

     Sue Auriemma resides in Manhasset and is the proud mother of three children; Julia, Ben, and Kate.

     The Senate’s “Women of Distinction” program recognizes outstanding women living and working in New York State whose contributions have greatly enriched the quality of life in their communities and beyond. Sue’s biography and photo were displayed in the Legislative Office Building as part of an exhibit honoring the Women of Distinction from across New York State.