Bill Text: NY K02310 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Sharon Julie Feldman Rowe, devoted wife and mother, entrepreneur, author, and pioneer of the reusable bag movement

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2024-05-29 - adopted [K02310 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-K02310-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 2310

BY: M. of A. Levenberg

        CELEBRATING the life of Sharon Julie Feldman Rowe,
        devoted  wife  and mother, entrepreneur, author, and
        pioneer of the reusable bag movement

  WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding members of our community who,
through their selfless commitment and dedication, have served to  better
the  quality of life in our community and have had a measurable positive
impact on  the  lives  of  its  residents;  Sharon  Rowe  was  one  such
individual; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  with  profound  sorrow  and  deep regret that this
Legislative  Body  records  the  passing  of  Sharon  Rowe,  noting  the
significance of her purposeful life and accomplishments; and

  WHEREAS,  Sharon Rowe of Croton-on-Hudson, New York, died on Monday,
March 25, 2024 at the age of 67; and

  WHEREAS, A trained actor, Sharon Rowe's professional career included
productions in New York City, Connecticut, and Maine regional  theaters;
and

  WHEREAS,  In  1989,  Sharon  Rowe  founded  Eco-Bags Products, Inc.,
introducing the cotton mesh string bag to the  United  States  with  the
goal  of  "Cleaning  up  the  planet  one  bag at a time"; launching the
original reusable bag company was a trailblazing  move  that  incited  a
movement; and

  WHEREAS,  As  CEO  of this exceptional business for 35 years, Sharon
Rowe ran her company without sacrificing personal or professional goals;
she sold worldwide and  was  recognized  as  "Best  for  The  World"  by
Bcorporation for social and environmental commitments and standards; and

  WHEREAS,  Sharon  Rowe  published The Magic of Tiny Business, a book
inspired by her  lifestyle,  in  2018,  telling  the  story  behind  her
game-changing company, sharing personal anecdotes which show readers how
to  build  a focused business that turns a profit without ever conceding
personal or social values for the sake of the bottom line; and

  WHEREAS, Recognized  as  a  thought  leader  in  social  innovation,
sustainable and responsible production, Sharon Rowe also spoke regularly
on  building profitable, mission and value aligned businesses, believing
that business can be a force for good, a currency for ideas  that  shape
culture; and

  WHEREAS,  Sharon Rowe's speaking engagements were varied, taking her
wide and far, from Yale University  to  Sing-Sing  Prison,  the  Nairobi
Center  for  Innovation  in  Kenya,  to  the  Social  Venture  Institute
Conference in the Hudson Valley; and

  WHEREAS, Furthermore, her vision and her company have been  featured
in Time, Glamour, The Wall Street Journal, and Entrepreneur magazine, as
well  as  on  "NPR  -  Air  America," and the award-winning documentary,

"BagIt"; Eco-Bags were also featured on Oprah's  first  dedicated  Earth
Day Show; and

  WHEREAS,  Sharon Rowe was the proud recipient of numerous awards and
accolades, including the National 2012  Enterprising  Woman,  CBS  Radio
Women's  Achievement,  Westchester  Business Council Entrepreneur of the
Year, 914Inc Westchester Magazine's Most Accomplished Women, the Women's
Enterprise Development Center's Lilian Vernon Award and The  Westchester
Collaborative Theatre's Most Valuable Player; and

  WHEREAS,   With   a  steadfast  and  unwavering  commitment  to  her
community, Sharon Rowe was  an  active  member  of  the  Social  Venture
Network  and  the Women Presidents' Organization; she also served on the
Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Board and  the  Westchester  Collaborative
Theatre Board; and

  WHEREAS,  An  avid  environmentalist,  Sharon  Rowe  found solace in
nature through long swims, walks in the woods with friends,  and  summer
days at the beach; and

  WHEREAS,  Sharon  Rowe  loved  her family completely, was incredibly
devoted to her friends, and embraced  every  day  to  the  fullest;  her
welcoming  presence had the effect of making everyone around her feel as
if they were her best friend, which was actually true; from  book  clubs
to non-profits, she was beloved in whatever circles she traveled; and

  WHEREAS,  Sharon  Rowe  is survived by her mother, Joan Feldman; her
husband, Blake; children, Julian and Eva; sisters,  Ellen  (George)  and
Heidi (Curtis); and beloved nieces, Carolyn and Allison; and

  WHEREAS,  Sharon  Rowe's  infinite selflessness and benevolence will
shine on through her family's vivid and happy memories; her insight  and
strength  will  forever serve as a beacon of love, light and hope to the
countless lives she touched; and

  WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a  sense  of
compassion,  Sharon  Rowe  leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory  to  all  who
were  privileged to have known and loved such an amazing woman; she will
be  deeply  missed  and  truly  merits  the  grateful  tribute  of  this
Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life of Sharon Julie Feldman  Rowe,  and  to  express  its
deepest condolences to her family; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Sharon Rowe.