We were very proud and pleased to learn that the New York State Senate has recognized Annette as a Historic Woman of Distinction in celebration of Woman's History Month. Senator Joseph Griffo made the announcement yesterday, on March 16th.
As many of you know Annette was born in Utica, New York on October 22, 1942. She will be featured all month in an exhibit at the Legislative Office Building in Albany. If you live in or are visiting the area be sure to stop by to see it.
You can view the official press release regarding this announcement in it's entirety below.
Actress Annette Funicello of Utica honored as NY Historic Woman of Distinction
Actress Annette Funicello of Utica honored as NY Historic Woman of Distinction
In
celebration of Women’s History Month, State Senator Joseph Griffo
announced that Utica-born actress Annette Funicello has been recognized
by the New York State Senate as a Historic Woman of Distinction.
Born in Utica on Oct. 22, 1942, Ms. Funicello was just 12 years old
when her performing talents were discovered by Walt Disney in
California. She quickly kicked-off her acting and singing career as one
of the original “Mouseketeers” on the Mickey Mouse Club, and then went
on to star in various movies throughout the late 50s and 60s, including
“The Shaggy Dog” and the “Beach Party” series.
Ms. Funicello later produced several commercials as a spokesperson
for Skippy Peanut Butter. By the late 1980s, Ms. Funicello was diagnosed
with multiple sclerosis and became the most famous spokesperson to
raise awareness of the disease. By 1993, she opened the Annette
Funicello Fund for Neurological Disorders at the California Community
Foundation with the mission of funding research into the cause,
treatment and cure of multiple sclerosis, as well as other neurological
diseases. At 70 years old, Ms. Funicello died on April 8, 2013, from
complications related to her disease.
“Annette Funicello has always made Utica and the Mohawk Valley proud
with all that she has been able to achieve in her life, from making us
smile and laugh on the big screen to inspiring us with her dedication on
behalf of those living with debilitating disease,” said Senator Griffo,
R-Rome. “With an engaging, joyful smile, Annette lived her life to the
fullest through personal challenges and accomplishments, and I am proud
to join New York State in honoring Ms. Funicello as a Woman of
Distinction.”
Ms. Funicello will be featured all this month in an exhibit at the
Legislative Office Building in Albany that honors historic New York
women whose achievements in arts, science, government, military, labor,
education and social reform has earned them recognition as Women of
Distinction.
In addition to Ms. Funicello, the exhibit will include two other new
honorees: trailblazing attorney and Judge Jane Bolin (1908-2007) of
Poughkeepsie and New York City, and surgeon and legislator Dr. Elizabeth
Gillette (1874-1965) of Schenectady.
Ms. Funicello, Judge Bolin and Dr. Gillette were all also recognized
in a Senate resolution passed March 6 that honored New York’s Historic
Women of Distinction.
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(UPDATE) Since first sharing this news on Thursday, so many have reached out to us to convey their congratulations on Annette's recognition. Among them was Annette's friend and fellow Mouseketeer Sherri Alberoni, who wrote: Nice, Glen ~ a very well deserved honor. God bless her soul and you, the angel God sent to take care of her.
We thank all who took the time to write and are celebrating Annie's honor along with us!
An inspiring woman from her earliest years as a Mouseketeer through her movies and then her courageous will through her years with Multiple Sclerosis. How wonderful to have her honoured in New York State. She was one of the rare artists that is a "citizen" of all places in the world and in so many hearts.
ReplyDeleteShe was always the person I admired the most as a child growing up. I followed her career from a Mouseketeer to an adult. I will always consider her as someone who helped form my growing up ideas and ideals. Thank you for being a wonderful role model in my life!
ReplyDeleteShe was always the person I admired the most as a child growing up. I followed her career from a Mouseketeer to an adult. I will always consider her as someone who helped form my growing up ideas and ideals. Thank you for being a wonderful role model in my life!
ReplyDelete