LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Elinor Ratner upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition by the Errol Grimes Dance Group on
June 14, 2009

WHEREAS, A great community is only as great as those persons and organ-
izations that provide exemplary service, whether through participation
in voluntary programs, through unique personal achievement in their
profession or other endeavors, or simply through a lifetime of good
citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Elinor Ratner upon the occasion of her designation for special recogni-
tion by the Errol Grimes Dance Group at its Champions of the Arts Tea to
be hosted at the home of Dr. Marco A. Mason in Brooklyn, New York, on
Sunday, June 14, 2009; and
WHEREAS, The Errol Grimes Dance Group, an internationally regarded
dance company based in Brooklyn, explores contemporary dance and themes
informed by an American and Afro-West Indian perspective; the company
also aims to give back to the community by mentoring young artists and
exposing them to the many facets of professional dance training and
related arts; and
WHEREAS, Its founder, Errol Grimes, who has been described as a "poet
of motion" by THE NEW YORK TIMES, seeks to convey the diversity of the
human experience through dance, storytelling, and multidisciplinary
forms of performance; and
WHEREAS, A woman of singular distinction, Elinor Ratner is being
recognized by the Errol Grimes Dance Group for her unwavering support of
the dance company throughout its 20 year history; and
WHEREAS, Born in 1920, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Elinor Ratner
attended public schools and graduated from Wellesley College with a
Bachelor of Arts degree in 1944; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduation, Elinor Ratner moved to Washington, D.C., to
serve in the war effort, first in the Office of War Information, and
then in New York at the State Department; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her lifetime, Elinor Ratner has been called upon
to contribute her time and talents to countless civic and charitable
endeavors and has always given of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Elinor Ratner has been actively engaged in child welfare
programs since 1949, principally with Day Care and Head Start in the
Bronx; and
WHEREAS, An exemplary leader, Elinor Ratner is the Vice President and
Trustee of the Educational Alliance of New York; she also serves on the
Board of Directors of Leak and Watts and the GO Project; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Elinor Ratner has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband, Robert S. Ratner,
their children, as well as their grandchildren and great grandchildren,
all of whom feel privileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her
achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Elinor Ratner has displayed through-
out her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Elinor Ratner upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by the Errol Grimes Dance Group on June 14, 2009; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Elinor Ratner.