Submitted Photo Judy Horowitz, left, nominated Michele Ludemann Fried Joy, right, for the annual Remarkable Woman of the Year honor through Nexstar Media Group, Inc., and WIVB-TV in Buffalo. Joy is one of four finalists across Western New York.

Michele Ludemann Fried Joy has been selected as one of four finalists across western New York for Nexstar’s Remarkable Woman of the Year honor.

WIVB-TV, in conjunction with Nexstar Media Group, Inc., celebrates Women’s History Month by recognizing remarkable women and their achievements through the annual Remarkable Women campaign. Each year, more than 200 Nexstar broadcasting stations in 117 markets accept nominations for the Nexstar Woman of the Year award. Joy was selected as one of the four nominees from Nextar’s CBS local affiliate, WIVB-TV in Buffalo.

One “Remarkable Woman” will be chosen to represent each region as a finalist for the Nexstar Woman of the Year award. The winner for each market receives a $1,000 charitable contribution from the Nexstar Charitable Foundation, and then becomes entered into the Nexstar Woman of the Year contest. The winner of the Nexstar Woman of the Year award receives a $10,000 contribution to the non-profit organization of her choice.

Joy was nominated for the award by Judy Horowitz. Joy fulfills the nomination requirements of

making a tremendous difference in self-achievement, community contribution and family impact. She fits Nextar’s criteria to honor the influence that women have had on public policy, social progress, and the quality of life. The campaign celebrates local women that inspire, lead, and forge the way for other women.

Joy was nominated for the volunteer work she has done as a member of the Chamber of Commerce and as a member of Festivals Fredonia. Joy’s nominators wrote about her selfless approach to community service, and her willingness to step in and help, or often lead, when needed.

In 2020, the Fredonia Community Chamber selected Joy for its Community Service Award. She served as Fredonia Community Chamber President and on the Board of Festivals Fredonia. She also played a significant role in Fredonia being chosen to be in the television show Small Business Revolution, as she was part of a small group of “leaders” that helped the plans come to fruition.

“It was life-changing for the businesses selected to receive the coaching. It brought a renewed sense of pride for every Fredonian that packed into the Opera House, and the hundreds watching on screens outside in the March winter to hear if we’d won,” said Larry Fiorella, President of Festivals Fredonia. “Michele worked tirelessly to campaign for the village. It paid off.”

Joy is also the driving force behind Miracle on Main Street, a December festival that focuses on the miracles of the holiday season. Joy also initially proposed the annual Easter Festival that celebrates spring and renewal, and she now serves as the Easter Festival Chairperson. Last Easter, she helped stuff hundreds of easter eggs for what is the largest egg hunt in our part of the county.

Joy’s community involvement is purely volunteer work on her part, and she very often reaches into her own purse to pay for things needed for these festivals. “Michele makes every project she works on better. She is joyful, and her giving spirit is felt by anyone who knows her,” Fiorella said.

Joy was a small business owner prior to COVID, but like many small business owners, she was unable to continue her business during the pandemic. Since then, she has reinvented herself by running estate sales and supporting the community through volunteerism.

“In addition to being a remarkable woman, Michele is also a friend, mom, wife, grandma, and role model for so many of us,” Fiorella said.

Joy and Festivals Fredonia supporters were interviewed by Kelsey Anderson, anchor, earlier this month. Her segment will air Tuesday, March 19 at 4 p.m. and also at 11 p.m. on Channel 4

For more information about Nexstar’s Remarkable Women campaign, visit www.nexstar.tv/remarkable-women/