Celebrating remarkable people who got their start right here in the Queen City. Mary Wittenberg- Born: July 17, 1962 

Reshaping the World’s Biggest Marathon 

Wittenberg rose to become President and CEO of New York Road Runners, and in the process became the first woman to serve as race director of the New York City Marathon. Under her leadership, the race grew more inclusive and accessible, with expanded outreach programs, a stronger platform for women in sport, and new technology like live race-day tracking. Buffalo’s

work ethic carried her from Western New York to the front of the pack on the world’s biggest running stage. 

Priscilla Allen- Born: July 19, 1938 

An Unforgettable Turn on the Big Screen 

Allen’s stage work eventually led to the screen, where she landed a role that would make her instantly recognizable to movie audiences worldwide: the “Fat Lady” in the 1990 sci-fi classic Total Recall, memorable for one of the film’s most talked-about scenes. It’s a fitting legacy for a performer whose real passion always lived in the craft itself. 

Danelle Barrett- Born: July 20, 1967

Leading the Navy Into the Digital Age 

As the Navy’s Deputy Chief Information Officer and a target lead for information warfare, Barrett helped modernize the service’s communication and cybersecurity systems, while also mentoring and advocating for women pursuing leadership roles in the military. Her honors and achievements reflect a career built on the same determination Buffalo is known for. 

Joe Pera- Born: July 24, 1988

A Different Kind of Funny 

Joe Pera grew up in Buffalo’s tight-knit, snowy neighborhoods before heading to New York City to pursue comedy — but he skipped the fast-talking, punchline-driven grind in favor of something slower, gentler, and entirely his own.