Bill Text: PA HR96 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Recognizing, during the observation of "Women's History Month" in March 2009, the contributions of Dorothy Allen, Josephine Blow, Lois A. Fernandez, Minnie Moore-Johnson, Lillian Ray, Betty B. Richardson Smoot and Emma Wilson.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 34-16)

Status: (Passed) 2009-03-18 - Adopted [HR96 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HR96-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1067
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 96 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY JOHNSON, BELFANTI, BISHOP, BRENNAN, CALTAGIRONE, COHEN, CONKLIN, D. COSTA, DALEY, DePASQUALE, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, FRANKEL, GEIST, GEORGE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, HELM, HENNESSEY, KORTZ, KOTIK, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, McCALL, MILLARD, MURPHY, MURT, O'NEILL, PALLONE, PARKER, PASHINSKI, PAYNE, PAYTON, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTARSIERO, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, SONNEY, SWANGER, VULAKOVICH, WATERS, WHEATLEY AND YOUNGBLOOD, MARCH 17, 2009
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 17, 2009
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing, during the observation of "Women's History Month"
in March 2009, the contributions of Dorothy Allen, Josephine
Blow, Lois A. Fernandez, Minnie Moore-Johnson, Lillian Ray,
Betty B. Richardson Smoot and Emma Wilson.
WHEREAS, March 2009 is "Women's History Month," and
Pennsylvania has many women who have contributed greatly to the
progress and tradition of this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, While many of these women have already received wide
recognition for their contributions, there are countless others
who are less well known but are nonetheless woven into the
fabric of our history; and
WHEREAS, Seven women of this Commonwealth who deserve
acclamation during "Women's History Month" have served the City
of Philadelphia for decades; and
WHEREAS, Dorothy Allen began the Barrett Educational
Community Center in 1976 to offer a safe haven for children and
youth and to provide resources, food and services to
neighborhood adults, personally financing the center and
continuing to work during acute illnesses and through personal
tribulation; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Allen recently turned over the center's
operation to her granddaughter, Tiphanie White, who now serves
as its executive director; and
WHEREAS, Josephine Blow has served as Chester Avenue Business
Association's president for the past 20 years, is a
committeeperson of the 51st Ward, a board member of the African
Cultural Alliance of North America and serves on planning
committees for Southwest Pride Day, Thomas Avenue Town Watch
National Night Out Celebration and Garden Homes; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Blow belongs to the Southwest EPIC Stakeholders
and its Safe Corridor program, the 12th Police District Advisory
Council, the South West Action Coalition, Project NEAT and
Intelligent Sisters Improving Selves (ISIS), is an elected
member of the board of the Southwest CDC Neighborhood Advisory
Committee and has been involved in the planning and
revitalization of the Chester Avenue business corridor; and
WHEREAS, Lois A. Fernandez holds a master's degree in urban
planning from Antioch College and worked for the City of
Philadelphia from 1970 to 1988, fighting gang violence, engaging
in parent counseling and supervising children in foster care, as
well as innovating social programs in the Philadelphia School
District; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Fernandez has played a significant role in
preserving and perpetuating African culture since 1972, which
was highlighted through her work on the host committee of the
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Corporate Council of Africa's 2001 meeting in Philadelphia; she
founded ODUNDE, Inc., initiated the ODUNDE Festival in
Philadelphia in 1975 to celebrate African culture and has served
as ODUNDE, Inc.'s president for the past 30 years; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Fernandez has received numerous awards for her
vision and service, and, in 1967, she sued in Federal Court,
successfully, for the removal of the term "illegitimate" from
the birth certificates of babies of single mothers; and
WHEREAS, Minnie Moore-Johnson is the founder and chief
executive officer of Concerned Parents, Inc., a nonprofit
organization that provides services to citizens in Philadelphia
who are less fortunate, elderly, homeless, or ex-offenders; the
organization provides educational support, food, clothing,
affordable furniture and appliances and links clients with
service agencies to find additional resources and employment;
and she personally has increased the annual Concerned Parents,
Inc., senior citizens Thanksgiving dinner from 15 meals served
in 1968 to 25,000 meals served in 1988; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Moore-Johnson created the Job Development
program at Temple University, which offers courses on ex-
offender job training, as well as training in ex-offender social
work and job development, and has received numerous accolades,
honors and awards for her many contributions; and
WHEREAS, Betty B. Richardson Smoot has run a successful real
estate transactions and tax preparation office since 1968,
serving the people of west Philadelphia as a real estate
salesperson since 1953; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Smoot served for many years as executive
director of the Mt. Zion Unity Development Corporation, was a
founding member of the Schuylkill Women's Coalition, has been
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very active at her church for more than 70 years and currently
serves as a member of the Business and Professional Women's
Ministry and the church choir, and is the recipient of numerous
awards for her community and governmental service; and
WHEREAS, In 2001, after serving as deputy to three drug
czars, Lillian Ray was appointed the first African-American
female drug czar of the City of Philadelphia, capping an
industrious career in law enforcement and community organization
combating drug violence and crime through efforts such as
Stinger Square Community Services, interracial sports leagues,
computer training centers, literacy classes, food pantries,
enrichment workshops and the creation of the Peace Wall Mural in
the heart of the racially torn Graysferry section of the city;
and
WHEREAS, The mother of nine children, Ms. Ray has received
numerous awards and honors and serves on many boards, most
notably the Interdisciplinary Youth Fatality Task Force,
Pennsylvania Justice Fellowship Task Force and Philadelphia
Health Management Corporation Advisory Board; and
WHEREAS, For many years, Emma Wilson was the unwavering force
and youth advocate at Dixon House, serving as director of Camp
Unami, a residential summer camp for city children in rural
Pennsylvania; supervising a program to provide summer jobs for
youth; making Dixon House available for group dances and
gatherings; and organizing trips for young people in order to
expand their horizons; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Wilson's commitment to youth and family safety
led to her involvement with the Safe Corridor Project and
despite recent personal health concerns, Ms. Wilson remains
active in the community; and
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WHEREAS, The commitment to social and community involvement
exemplified by these seven women is worthy of celebration and
praise; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize, during
the observation of "Women's History Month" in March 2009, the
contributions of Dorothy Allen, Josephine Blow, Lois A.
Fernandez, Minnie Moore-Johnson, Lillian Ray, Betty B.
Richardson Smoot and Emma Wilson.
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