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My Greatest Accomplishment Is My Family
The Murray Hill Neighbors'
The Murray Hill Neighbors’ Stories Committee interviewed Diane Bartow and collaborated with her to finalize the text of her story.
So said Diane Bartow recently when talking about her amazing life.
Diane’s journey began in Queens, New York, where she graduated from Grover Cleveland High School. She was a talented track star and when she graduated, she was honored with a gold medal in athletics. Her parents laughed because she ran across the stage to receive her award! She earned an Associate Applied Science (AAS) in Accounting from Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York (CUNY), followed by studies at Queens College, CUNY, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting and Finance from Nova Southeastern University—all while working during the day and attending night classes. She is the only one in the family to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree which she has proudly hanging on the wall! She has always loved numbers and still reconciles her check book every month! This love of numbers was to serve her well throughout her professional life.
Diane began her professional career in finance, working at Exxon, managing inventory reports on ships, and Texaco. She later transitioned to marketing, including serving as Regional Industry Director at American Express in New York. In recognition of the significant work Diane accomplished at American Express, she won the Vista Award—an Apple Red Thunderbird as the prize. She then moved to Young & Rubicam, where she worked as Senior Vice-President managing promotions for major accounts. Diane was then to shift from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, opening her own marketing and finance company, “The Marketing Department” in Manhattan.
The next pivotal step in Diane’s career came when she joined her husband Gene at his insurance company, the Eugene A. Bartow Insurance Agency, a family-owned business. Applying her financial and marketing expertise, along with her strong leadership and organizational skills, Diane has played a key role in supporting and expanding their insurance business. Diane adapted quickly from working with a larger team to a small staff of seven workers, with each team member contributing in specialized roles. As co-owner, Diane continues to apply her love of numbers by handling all financial operations, along with selling health and life insurance. Gene focuses on selling, and their son, Jason, manages placement and commercial lines products for their clients.
American Express brought Diane to Murray Hill, and she has been here for 40 years! She moved to New York from Florida and was drawn to Murray Hill because of its proximity to the American Express office at 708 Third Avenue. She settled into an apartment building on 35th Street, between Madison and Fifth avenues, “The Antoinette,” a newly built and opened building and quickly discovered that “everything I needed was within reach.” The convenient access to the airports was valuable given the extensive travel required by her job.
And it was 35th Street that brought Diane to the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association (MHNA). She had perfect access to the Murray Hill Block Party which was held on 35th Street. Stepping out of her front door, she was pleasantly greeted by Murray Hill neighbors. Conversations with the MHNA membership team led her to join the Association of which she has been a member for 38 years! Once they discovered her marketing expertise, they quickly put her to work on a marketing program. That was the beginning of her active involvement with the MHNA.
Diane’s family also became involved with the MHNA. Her son Jason and daughter Trudi played elves at the Holiday lighting, with Trudi further contributing by playing the flute. Her husband Gene took on the role of Santa Claus at the Murray Hill Christmas parties. Trudi also participated in Murray Hill’s clean-up activities.
Diane served as a MHNA Trustee for one year and Vice-President for another year. During these two years she listened to the voices of Murray Hill neighbors as they explained their issues and concerns, and took counsel from others on the Executive Committee, e.g., Ed Curtin, who helped her to understand some of the legal issues facing Murray Hill. In September 1997, she took on the challenge as President of the MHNA. She had a lot to learn, but was determined to help build and grow Murray Hill. Running an all-volunteer organization is a challenge and those running it have to always remember they are guardians of the neighborhood. She had to get to know City Council, State and Federal officials and how the City Council’s decisions affect the lives of everyday Murray Hill neighbors. Diane applied a disciplined approach to MHNA meetings along with one of the principles she learned in her career in marketing –“Go back to the beginning, straighten out the problem, and start a path forward.”
Diane’s achievements as President of the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association were manifold.
501 C3 status was achieved.
Her proudest moment was in 2002 when the MHNA finally secured the designation of a group of houses from 35th to 38th and Park to Lexington Avenue, as the Murray Hill Historic District, by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Preservation minded members had researched and advocated for over thirty years for such a designation. They worked with Chris Quinn, a Councilwoman who was very helpful in leading the Association through the hearings at City Hall. With the help of Liz Kruger, they got the State identification and the Congressional designation with the support of Carolyn Maloney.
Another achievement, and one of the first major programs undertaken, was the move away from mesh garbage cans, which left the streets filthy, to green garbage cans which improved cleanliness by 87%.
Another significant and successful undertaking involved the 34th Street Transitway Project. This project was unveiled by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and New York City Department of Transportation during the Bloomberg Administration. The City proposed making 34th Street a one-way street, eastbound from Fifth Avenue and westbound from Sixth Avenue. However, there were major problems with the design plans as entrance to the buildings on 34th Street would have been blocked especially for deliveries. It took three years and the MHNA won the day because it was able to prove that 34th Street is an extension of I-495. Diane attended over sixty-five meetings on this one issue.
There was an MHNA Education Committee. Diane is very proud of the work accomplished in the education area. One of the schools involved in Murray Hill at the time, the Murray Hill Academy, was a high school benefiting children with problems, dealing with drug addicted parents and pregnancy issues among others. The Committee worked with the school on many programs including career planning, job recruitment, and scholarship programs to help students go to college. It was one of the most rewarding things Diane ever did, not only enjoyable but “warm and fuzzy”! The Committee also worked with the Norman Thomas High School to get students involved in the neighborhood by helping with MHNA clean-up activities. In addition, the MHNA helped P.S.116, the Mary Lindley Murray School, with getting new bathrooms.
Another project she worked on was the establishment of the Business Forum for merchants in the area. Merchants were brought together to talk about the issues they were facing, for example, with licensing and permits. A program called “What to do in Murray Hill,” which featured where to dine and shop, was started in the 2000s. Lord & Taylor was a sponsor and created a map of Murray Hill identifying where the restaurants and bars or shops were located. It was a good program for merchants, and businesses donated $50 towards the cost of the program.
As Diane reflected on the Murray Hill community, she mentioned how it had responded after 9/11, when the neighborhood came together like no other. Donations were the biggest ever received in the history of Murray Hill. Meals were cooked. Restaurants in the area donated meals for the Fire and Police Stations. A memorial service was organized for the Fire Station on 27th Street, the main Fire Station for Murray Hill. A memorial tree was planted across from the Station. The Committee worked with Disney to secure books and Christmas gifts for the children of families affected. A year later the MHNA was doing a benefit luncheon at the Fire Station on 27th Street, and a little boy came up to Diane and asked for a piece of cake. Diane said he could have a piece of cake if his parents agreed. The little boy said he had lost his father on 9/11. A story that still makes Diane very emotional.
During her Presidency, the MHNA supported 52nd Street to establish their Association.
Finally, some six to eight years ago Eblasts were started. The MHNA understood it needed to provide people with good real-time information. The Eblast program started small as many seniors were not on social media so it had to be adopted over time.
For Diane, it’s the people who make Murray Hill so special and her efforts as President of the MHNA have enriched and enhanced the neighborhood. Murray Hill is her home and favorite place.
As this story reflects, Diane is committed to her professional work and community. In her spare time, Diane loves traveling, doing puzzles, and most especially spending time with her family. She is very proud of her son Jason and daughter Trudi. Jason is the Executive Vice President at Eugene A, Bartow Insurance Agency. In 2025, Jason will be recognized as the President of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents. Trudi, who was the President of her Synagogue, is now running a major gift company handling all the marketing and sales. Diane says, “One of the best days of my life was the day I officially adopted Trudi. We chose each other. Trudi just like her mom enjoys traveling the world.” Trudi and Jason have followed in their parents’ footsteps by being actively engaged in community activities. Diane is also the very proud grandmother of three grandchildren: Eli, the hockey player; Ziva, my Diva; and Judah, the gamer.
Diane says, “It has been a real joy watching the children grow into wonderful caring adults.” Not surprising then that Diane considers her greatest accomplishment to be her family.
We look forward to seeing you in the neighborhood, Diane.
CELEBRATING 65+ YEARS OF
The Murray Hill Neighborhood Association
Better Together
The Preservation & Design Committee’s Murray Hill Neighbors’ Stories is a place
to share your memories, anecdotes, surprising encounters, or human interest
stories that charm, surprise, and build our community.
We want to hear from you!
MURRAY HILL NEIGHBORS’ STORIES –
What drew you to our neighborhood?
How long have you lived here?
Why do you love living here?
We look forward to getting to know you better.
Send Your Stories to The Preservation and Design Murray Hill Neighbors’ Stories Committee.
Chair: Barbara Gieseler
Pauline Brooks, Susan Demmet, Deborah Landey, and Michaela Walsh
MurrayHillStories@murrayhillnyc.org We will acknowledge your email and contact you if your submission has been accepted.
Please Note – The Murray Hill Neighbors’ Stories Committee does not edit or comment on stories submitted and accepted, except for spelling and punctuation which are then reviewed with the story provider.
