LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to the life of Dawn Sullivan, the
founder of the East Side Tenants Coalition

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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to pay trib-
ute to the life of Dawn Sullivan, the founder of the East Side Tenants
Coalition; and
WHEREAS, A native of Sydney, Australia, Dawn Sullivan relocated to New
York City in 1957, to pursue a career in theater and modeling; after
some success, including a role with Whacky the Wallaby, she married Tim
Sullivan, great-grandson of Big Tim Sullivan of Tammany Hall and a writ-
er whose 1979 novel, GLITTER STREET, was well received; and
WHEREAS, In the late 1970s, Dawn Sullivan became a tenant activist,
fighting the landlord of her building on East 80th Street and joining
forces with other rent stabilized, rent controlled and Mitchell-Lama
tenants to launch the East Side Tenants Coalition; and
WHEREAS, Absolutely dedicated to tenants rights and willing to help
anyone with a problem, even if they did not live on the East Side, Dawn
Sullivan helped hundreds of tenants avoid eviction and hundreds of
others to get repairs; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her work with the East Side Tenants Coalition,
Dawn Sullivan was instrumental in the successful campaign to save the
historic City and Suburban Homes complex from demolition and served on
the board of Tenants and Neighbors from 1985 to 1991; and
WHEREAS, Dawn Sullivan is survived by her three children, Tyrone
Sullivan, Stephanie Stavrides and Brendan Sullivan, all of whom felt
privileged to be a part of her life and rejoiced in her many achieve-
ments; and
WHEREAS, One of the kindest, best loved tenant leaders in New York
State, Dawn Sullivan 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, 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 pay
tribute to the life of Dawn Sullivan, the founder of the East Side
Tenants Coalition; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the East Side Housing Coalition and the family of Dawn Sulli-
van.