Name: Rebecca Beardslee From: Cortland Hobbies: Reading, painting, gardening, and sewing. Volunteer Work: March of Dimes Bikers for Babes, Toys for Tots, Koats for Kids

I would like to nominate my mother, Rebecca Beardslee, as one of the most outstanding women I know. Not only has she been an inspiration to me but also for countless others. She has held several jobs throughout her life that I feel have helped bring out her best qualities. Rebecca is strong yet compassionate and portrays a selfless attitude. When I was growing up she worked as a welder. This always made me think of Rosie the Riveter. She was tough and I was proud that my mom was able to tackle the obstacles of working in a predominately male industry. Later on in my life her personal strength inspired me to find that strength within myself. After welding for several years, my mother developed carpal tunnel syndrome. She decided to make a career change and went back to school for criminal justice. Once she graduated, she worked briefly as a security officer and then as a youth care worker. She worked in a small local youth detention center where she helped troubled teens with a variety of issues. She also helped by serving as the cook for a period of time. This allowed her to nurture these kids as well as show them discipline and give them advice on how to turn there lives around. When the facility closed down about five years ago, Rebecca opened her own business, The Little Pumpkin, selling new and used children's clothing. Her store offers cash or store credit for used children's clothing and other baby related items. This enables families, such as my own, to be able to better provide for our children by offering quality merchandise at an affordable price. For those going green, it's the perfect way to reuse all that stuff your kids grow out of and keep it out of the landfills. Rebecca is always quick to lend a hand to those in need and donates anything leftover to the local community. She is involved in several charities such as Toys for Tots, Coats for Kids, March of Dimes: Bikers for Babies, and more. Her business, being located in the Marketplace Mall in Cortland, has expanded her compassion and community spirit beyond the doors of her small shop. She has volunteered her time to help keep the mall fresh and up to date including a beautiful winter display in the front window for the holiday season. She also organizes mall events to get the community involved in the downtown area. Some such events include SPCA adoption drives, an art show held by the Red Cross to benefit breast cancer awareness, as well as booths for several local merchants. She also helps promote local events and groups by displaying signs and posters at her store window. As you can see my mother, Rebecca Beardslee, has played several roles in her life that have all in some way been an inspiration to those around her. She had played a strong roll in her family and community life while still being compassionate and humble. This is why I feel she is one of the most Outstanding Women I know in Central New York. (Nominated by Alisa Beardslee)