History was made in Sleepy Hollow on Tuesday as Angela Martello became the first woman in the village's police department to be promoted to the rank of sergeant.

The promotion was announced during a Village Board meeting.

A lifelong Sleepy Hollow resident, Martello has a long record of public service in the community. She began volunteering with the village ambulance corps at age 14, eventually serving as chief. She also held the rank of captain in the Sleepy Hollow Fire Department before joining the Police Department 11 years ago as a police officer.

"I always wanted to have my job be something different every day, and I've really been able to have that be accomplished here in Sleepy Hollow," Martello said following her promotion.

According to data, women make up roughly 12% to 14% of full-time sworn law enforcement officers nationwide. The Bureau of Justice Statistics also found that women account for only 11% of first-line supervisors, including sergeants, in police departments across the United States.

Sleepy Hollow Mayor Marjorie Hsu said the milestone is significant for the community and future generations.

"It's very important, I think, for not only children, but people in the community to see our Sleepy Hollow police department reflective of the community," Hsu said.

Martello said she hopes her achievement inspires other young women to pursue careers in law enforcement and public service.

"I'd love for them to be able to look at me and know that they can do anything that they put their mind to," she said.