Senate Resolution No. 1830

BY: Senator O'MARA

COMMENDING Rebecca Bly upon the occasion of her
designation as 2023 Seneca County Woman of the Year
by the Seneca County Women's Coalition

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve
the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration
and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and

WHEREAS, Rebecca Bly has given not only of her time and energies but
also of her competence, intelligence, and leadership, consequently being
designated for this special honor; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Rebecca
Bly upon the occasion of her designation as 2023 Seneca County Woman of
the Year to be celebrated at a charity banquet at the Gould Hotel in
Seneca Falls, New York, on Saturday, March 16, 2024; and

WHEREAS, In 1991, Rebecca "Becky" Bly relocated to Seneca Falls, the
"Birthplace of Women's Rights"; she opened a retail storefront called
WomanMade Products which offers her original T-shirt designs,
handcrafted jewelry and glassware, woven baskets, and many other
international fair-trade items; additionally, she provides custom screen
printing for local businesses, schools, clubs, and community
organizations; and

WHEREAS, Rebecca Bly does not own a business to generate a profit
for herself; instead, she helps women and girls to feel empowered; she
always pursues opportunities to assist others and volunteers her time
and talents to build not only her venture but also her community; and

WHEREAS, This accomplished honoree is a founding member of Seneca
Falls Performing Arts Center which will be the recipient of the entire
proceeds from this year's banquet; the revenue will fund the addition of
an entertainment/conference center to the town; and

WHEREAS, As Past President and/or Past Vice President of the Seneca
Falls Downtown Business Association, Rebecca Bly has successfully
recommenced the annual Canal Fest, now celebrating its eighth year; she
continues to assist in the production of the It's a Wonderful Life
Festival which attracts thousands of visitors, fostering donations to
numerous food pantries in the Seneca Falls area; and

WHEREAS, Recognized for her numerous Theatre Association of New York
State (TANYS) awards, Rebecca Bly is a significant board member of the
Seneca Community Players, cooperating with several not-for-profit
organizations in Seneca Falls to acquire capital by depicting their
stories through an event called Calendar Girls; and

WHEREAS, Rebecca Bly is an integral member of Women March in Seneca
Falls which attracted approximately 30,000 people to the community
throughout the previous four years; she was also influential in the
creation of a national event to promote voting in 2020, focusing
attention on the birthplace of women's rights; other rallies for women's

rights, including Convention Days in July of 2023, have brought
dignitaries to Seneca Falls for a celebration of its heritage; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the duration of her service, a period of
constructive involvement, Rebecca Bly has stood constant in dignity and
good grace; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Rebecca Bly has displayed
throughout her life; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Rebecca Bly upon the occasion of her designation as 2023 Seneca
County Woman of the Year by the Seneca County Women's Coalition; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Rebecca Bly.