BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — News 4 celebrates Women’s History Month by introducing women who make a difference in Western New York. After sharing four inspiring stories, Julie Starr was named the local winner of the 2024 Remarkable Women campaign.
The award is part of Nexstar Media Group’s nationwide initiative that honors women’s influence on public policy, social progress and quality of life — celebrating women who inspire, lead and forge the way for other women.
Starr founded Buddy’s Second Chance Rescue in 2013, with a mission to save as many shelter dogs as possible. She joined News 4 at 4 on Tuesday to talk about the recognition.
“I’m so honored, I’m humbled. I’m at a loss for words,” Starr said. “Buddy’s is not just a one-woman organization. Buddy’s is everybody who stands alongside me and helps me do what I do and saves all these dogs for the last 10 years. I couldn’t do what I do without the whole organization — the community. I’m so honored that I was picked to receive this award.”
News 4’s other 2024 finalists were Jessica Lowell Mason, Michele Joy and Joanne Zimmerman.
As the local winner, Starr received a $1,000 check for Buddy’s Second Chance Rescue. She will also travel to Los Angeles, where she will be considered for “Nexstar Woman of the Year.”
“We’ll save a lot more dogs with this,” Starr said. “We know that the whole country is now in a pandemic of animals being surrendered and shelters being overcrowded. Our own shelters here are overcrowded so we have switched our focus a little bit. We’re still taking dogs from out of state, but now also trying to step up huge for our local animals.”
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Jordan Norkus is an Emmy-nominated, award-winning anchor who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.