Mary Korpi moved to the North Fork in June of 2017 after retiring from a long-term career working with people with special needs. On a mission to get involved and meet local people, she began volunteering as a docent at Horton Point Lighthouse in Southold that August. She was intrigued to learn that one woman, Stella Prince, served as a keeper. Seeking to learn more about Stella’s life, Mrs. Korpi read everything she could find about women lighthouse keepers. She discovered that history overlooked Stella as she was not included in any published works about women lighthouse keepers. Mrs. Korpi delved into origin sources such as local newspaper clippings and obituaries through the Southold Historical Museum, local librarians, and the Suffolk County Historical Museum library. The factual information she gathered became the basis for the book, Justice for Stella was finally realized when in February 2023, the Coast Guard historian agreed to add Stella to the official list of women lighthouse keepers based on the documentation Mrs. Korpi gathered regarding her employment from the National Archives. Stella will finally take her proper place in history a mere 120 years after her service.

Click to View on YouTube