LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Willie Ella Paschal Bowman,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of her community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Willie E.P. Bowman of the Bronx, New York, died on Wednesday,
December 31, 2008; and
WHEREAS, Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Willie E.P. Bowman at age two,
migrated to New York City with her family; she was a graduate of Saint
Patrick Cathedral High School, where she was a member of the Missionary
Society; and
WHEREAS, Willie E.P. Bowman earned a degree in Nursing Education from
Tuskegee Institute, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from
the College of New Rochelle, Master's degrees from Fordham University
and the New School for Social Research, as well as a Certificate of
Hospital Administration from Hostos College; and
WHEREAS, As a teenager, Willie E.P. Bowman would bring orphans home
for dinner during the holidays; her mother and grandmother always taught
the family to share, no matter how scarce the family resources; early on
Willie developed a strong sense of civic responsibility and an inclina-
tion to community service, and received numerous awards and accolades
for such service; and
WHEREAS, Willie E.P. Bowman's professional life had always been in the
field of service, such as nursing, childcare, and prison healthcare;
throughout 32 years of service, she worked in several capacities,
including: District Health Services Manager and Prison Health Services
Administrator, both for the New York City Department of Health; Director
of Operations, Special Assistant to the Executive Director and Director
of Staff Development and Training; prior to this, she was a Supervisor
for the New York City Department of Juvenile Justice at Spofford Juve-
nile Center; and
WHEREAS, Active in the community, Willie E.P. Bowman was affiliated
with numerous organizations such as the New York Club of the National
Association of Negro Business & Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., the
North Bronx National Council of Negro Women, the New York State Bethune
Recognition Program, the Williamsbridge NAACP, the Seton Falls Park
Preservation Committee, and the Executive Council of Black United Lead-
ership of the Bronx; and
WHEREAS, A resolute activist for numerous programs which benefited her
community, Willie E.P. Bowman was a board member of The Susan E. Wagner
Child Development Center, and was a Life Member of The Association for
the Study of African American Life and History; in addition, she was one
of the founding members of Organization of Staff Analysts in New York;
and
WHEREAS, Willie E.P. Bowman distinguished herself in her profession
and by her sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the
welfare of her community; and
WHEREAS, Willie E.P. Bowman's commitment to excellence, and her spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char-
itable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Willie E.P. Bowman leaves
behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all she served and befriended; and

WHEREAS, Willie E.P. Bowman is survived by six children, Gregory,
Amelia, Charlene, Wilbert, Bertie, and Gloria, 16 grandchildren, 14
great-grandchildren, her sister, Evelyn, and her brothers, Jessie and
Freddie; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Willie Ella Paschal Bowman, distinguished citizen and
devoted member of her community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Willie Ella Paschal Bowman.