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acknowledgement of Black History Month, at the last City Council meeting
Council Member Tracy Boyland recognized five distinguished Black women
for their achievements and contributions to their community. She did so
on behalf of herself and her colleagues, as well in honor of the passing
of one of this country’s great pioneers, the Honorable Shirley Chisholm.
The
first proclamation went to Dr. Muriel Petioni, a woman of remarkable
depth and dimension, who, for decades, has been an unstoppable force in
the Harlem community. Petioni began as an intern at Harlem Hospital 64
years ago, after having graduated from Howard University Medical School
as the only black woman in the class of 1937. She then founded and
became the first Chairperson of the Medical Women of the National
Medical Association. She also created Friends of Harlem Hospital in
November 1988, which has helped raise a staggering $2 million for
much-needed programs and services.
The second awardee was Donna Williams Sutton, Audience Development
Specialist at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She developed and
implements the museum's Multicultural Audience Development Initiative,
which establishes working collaborations among representatives of the
African American, Asian American, Latino and Native American
communities. Sutton has appeared on television and radio as a
commentator and spokesperson for the Met on diversity in the arts, and
also lends her professional expertise to other arts organizations and
museums.
Next to receive a proclamation was Joi Gordon, Chief Executive
Officer of Dress for Success Worldwide, a grassroots organization that,
since 1977, has provided interview suits and other career development
services to more than 175,000 low-income women seeking employment.
Gordon is affiliated with a number of professional, educational,
community and cultural organizations, volunteering her time and energy
to help them increase in strength and purpose.
Also honored was Vashta Dunlap, Vice President of Operations and
Human Resources at Bad Boy Entertainment Worldwide, where her experience
and expertise have helped the company to grow tremendously. Because
Dunlap understands the importance of helping others, over the years
she’s involved herself in the work of a number of civic, educational,
community and cultural organizations. Out of her love for the arts and
her passion for educating young people, she co-produced the AUDELCO
Awards, bringing Broadway and Off-Broadway to the Harlem community.
Though she was unable to be present at the ceremony, Dr. Shirley Ann
Jackson was also honored. Jackson became the first African American
woman to be named President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In
1995, President Clinton appointed Dr. Jackson to serve as Chairman of
the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a position she held with
distinction until 1999.
As the proclamations stated, these women "represent all that is best
in people: generosity and compassion; the development of one's
intellect, spirit and talents to better serve others; and a commitment
to the ideals, issues and concerns that most forcefully strengthen the
community."
In accepting her proclamation, Dr. Muriel Petioni pointed to the fact
that she is now 91 years old, and that when she started out, Blacks had
very few opportunities for education and upward mobility. She stated,
"It's just wonderful to have lived through those years and to be able to
say now, ‘We've come a long way, baby!’ We’ve come to this point where
we women have achieved great heights."
Vashta Dunlap, who first and foremost thanked God for sharing the
honor with her fellow honorees, said "I accept this proclamation on
behalf of all the courageous visionary Black women who came before us,
for all the Black women who rallied for justice to make women's suffrage
and human rights a reality, like Harriet Tubman, Shirley Chisholm, our
mothers, grandmothers and countless others."
Donna Williams Sutton also thanked the City Council for having
championed each of them. "You have given us support all the way
through," she commented, "and we could not have done half our programs
without you."
