Hinchey Honors Late Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack with State Senate’s 2025 Woman of Distinction Award

ALBANY, NY – Senator Michelle Hinchey posthumously honored the late Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack with the New York State Senate’s Woman of Distinction Award, one of the highest legislative honors a State Senator can bestow. Accepted by her husband, Duane Postupack, the award recognizes Nina’s decades of exemplary service to the people of Ulster County. This annual recognition celebrates individuals of exceptional character who have made lasting contributions to the betterment of their communities. 

Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “Nina Postupack was the truest embodiment of a public servant—selfless, fair, and guided by an unshakeable belief in her responsibility to shape a government that worked for the people. Nina was innately focused on how she could make life easier and better for others, and she did. She built trust in government, upheld the inherent dignity of every person, and never lost sight of the work that truly mattered. Nina will forever be missed, and I’m proud to select her as my honoree for the Senate’s Woman of Distinction, a reflection of the deep admiration we hold for her, the way she chose to live her life, and the standard of service she modeled for all who seek to be a good neighbor.”

Nina Postupack (1957-2024)
Nina Postupack was a consummate civil servant, grounded in the simple yet noble idea that government exists to serve the people. As the first woman to serve as Ulster County Clerk—an office with roots dating back to the 1670s when Dutch settlers first kept county records—Nina spent nearly two decades serving her community with the utmost integrity, distinction, and commitment to the greater good.

A lifelong resident of Kingston, Nina began her career in the Ulster County Clerk’s Office shortly after graduating from Marymount College in 1979. Rising through the ranks, she was soon appointed Deputy County Clerk. In 2005, after being appointed Acting County Clerk by Governor Pataki, Nina was elected County Clerk and was serving her fifth term when she retired in August 2024.

Nina understood that the Ulster County Clerk’s Office is the heart of local life. It’s the place where you apply for a marriage license, take the Oath of Allegiance as a new citizen, renew a driver’s license, or conduct archival research, among other tasks. Under her leadership, the Clerk’s Office became a beacon of innovation, support, and historic preservation. She believed wholeheartedly in making government more accessible and transparent—extending office hours, bringing services to rural parts of the county, and modernizing how the public engaged with county records. She was a driving force behind the digitization of records and advocated for the creation of a domestic partnership registry to ensure all relationships are recognized with dignity and equality. After a 16-year absence, Nina was also responsible for bringing naturalization ceremonies back to Ulster County, reaffirming the power and promise of what it means to be part of a community.  

Nina was deeply passionate about preserving the earliest chapters of Ulster County’s history and ensuring the stories of those who came before us were honored and remembered. She oversaw the installation of a permanent archival exhibit in the County Office Building, offering the public a powerful window into the past through records and artifacts dating back to colonial times. She championed the designation of November 26th as Sojourner Truth Day in Ulster County, paying tribute to the legacy of one of our most enduring local heroes. Among her most meaningful contributions was her work to rebuild ties with the Lenape People, the original stewards of this land. Nina helped revive the annual renewal ceremony of the 1664 peace treaty that ended the Esopus Wars, reaffirming a commitment to remembrance and reconciliation.

As dedicated as Nina was to her profession, she was equally devoted to giving back to her beloved community. She served as Board President for the Boys & Girls Club, Vice President of the Ulster County Italian-American Foundation, and Chair of the Board for John A. Coleman Catholic High School, among many other endeavors. Over the years, Nina’s tireless commitment to civic leadership earned her numerous honors, including the prestigious Roger W. Mabie Award for her contributions to the Hudson Valley and preserving its history, the Martha Washington Woman of History Award, and the Clement I. Angstrom Distinguished Citizen Award.

Nina will be remembered as an exceptional public servant, a beloved wife and mother, and a dear friend to so many. Her legacy of service, leadership, and love for her community will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know her. In Ulster County, Nina’s memory will always be a blessing.

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