Rhonda Lyn Roethel has been chosen from among 16 women nominated for state Sen. Patty Ritchie's Women of Distinction Award.

A ceremony is being held tonight in Watertown to make the award and to honor the other nominees.

Rhonda Lyn Roethel has worked behind the scenes for many years to make her community a better place to live. She is employed as a letter carrier for the US Postal Service, co-founded America 1 Realty, is a partner in NAC Logistics, and co-owns Hotzenmore LLC.

Roethel is a charter member and former president of the Lisbon Lions Club. Over the years, she helped organize the regional Lions Club Lumberjack Shows, Lions Children’s Carnivals, Polar Bear 5K Run/Walk, and helped found Ogdensburg’s Holiday Light Up the Night Parades.

As president of the Lisbon Lions, she led the local effort to “adopt” soldiers in Afghanistan.

She is a member of Pro Musica, plays percussion and vocals with New York State Fiddle Champion Don Woodcock, is active with Ogdensburg’s Ogtoberfest Committee, has been an active fundraiser for the Seaway Festival, and was instrumental in getting the Ogdensburg Harbor Lighthouse relit in 2011.

She was nominated by Greater Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sandra Porter.

She was chosen from among 16 women in Sen. Ritchie's 48th Senate District covering central and northern New York.

The other nominees from St. Lawrence County are Dr. Kiri Brandy, general surgeon at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg; Clarkson University Vice President for External Relations Dr. Kelly Chezum; Ogdensburg businesswoman and community activist Laurel Lee Roethel; and busy and generous volunteer Rose Edward.

The Senate’s Women of Distinction program pays tribute to women statewide for their community service. The Senate program begins each year in March to coincide with Women's History Month in New York State. Senators statewide select honorees from their respective legislative districts.