LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. W. Ruth Whitney upon the occasion of
her Installation as the 13th President of the New York State Ministers'
Wives and Ministers' Widows Association, Inc.

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Dr. W. Ruth Whitney has given not only of her time and ener-
gies but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and conse-
quently has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr.
W. Ruth Whitney upon the occasion of her Installation as the 13th Presi-
dent of the New York State Ministers' Wives and Ministers' Widows Asso-
ciation, Inc. to be celebrated at its Installation of Officers Ceremony
on Thursday, October 28, 2010, at Mount Sinai Baptist Church, Brooklyn,
New York; her term as President will commence in January of 2011; and
WHEREAS, The vision of the New York State Ministers' Wives and Minis-
ters' Widows Association is to equip Ministers' Wives and Ministers'
Widows to win others to Christ, while developing and nurturing one
another as Disciples of Christ; and
WHEREAS, Dr. W. Ruth Whitney's term will focus on her desire to
further develop the unique sisterhood of the New York State Ministers'
Wives and Ministers' Widows Association through celebration, education,
commemoration and participation; and
WHEREAS, This prominent woman earned her Bachelor of Science degree
from the New York State University in Westbury and her Master's in
Social Work from Adelphi University, Garden City, Long Island; and
WHEREAS, Dr. W. Ruth Whitney is the First Lady of the Mount Sinai
Baptist Church in Brooklyn, where her husband, The Reverend Dr. Curtis
L. Whitney, serves as its Pastor; and
WHEREAS, She joined the New York State Ministers' Wives and Ministers'
Widows Association in 1975 and immediately began her journey of faithful
service to this prestigious organization; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of the Fourth President, Dr. W. Ruth
Whitney served as Educational Workshop Facilitator; since then she has
been a diligent and faithful member, working in every administration;
and
WHEREAS, From 1978-1983, Dr. W. Ruth Whitney served as First Vice
President chairing the State Breakfast, where she originated "pre-regis-
tration"; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Dr. W. Ruth Whitney served as the Executive
Chair and then as Vice President until November 2001, when she stepped
aside to pursue political aspirations, becoming the only Pastor's wife
on record to be placed on the ballot for New York Governmental Service;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. W. Ruth Whitney's stewardship extends beyond the New York
state level; it is noteworthy that she served as President of the
Baptist Ministers' Wives and Widows of New York and Vicinity, the local
chapter where she is still an active member; and
WHEREAS, Nevertheless, Dr. W. Ruth Whitney's presence is felt on the
International level as well; she served as the First National Chair of
the Herald Advertisement Committee during the administration of Dr.
Shirley Hart; and
WHEREAS, She was the Special Administrative Assistant to Dean Cynthia
Ray and continued to serve as Discipline Chair during Dean Wheeler's

administration, rising to the level of Assistant Dean of Education,
Chair of Records and Flags and Women's Affairs Committee; and
WHEREAS, Her outstanding leadership often propelled Dr. W. Ruth Whit-
ney to the forefront of movements that involved positive change as well
as necessary development, enhancing the quality of life in many diverse
communities throughout the Nation; and
WHEREAS, Dr. W. Ruth Whitney has been the recipient of numerous awards
and accolades, some of which include: 2007 Woman of the Year Award;
named a 2001 History-Maker by the Allen Jordan Laymen Movement; 2001
Woman of Distinction; and in 1992, she was named Outstanding Personality
of the Week by NEW YORK NEWSDAY; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Dr. W. Ruth Whitney has attained multiple accom-
plishments throughout her lifetime; she co-authored SISTER-TO-SISTER,
DEVOTIONS FOR AND FROM AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN, served as a board member
of the American Baptist Churches USA as well as chaired the Interna-
tional Ministries Working Group on African Affairs; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Dr. W. Ruth Whitney has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her loving husband, with her throughout have
been her children as well as 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 Dr. W. Ruth Whitney has displayed
throughout 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
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. W. Ruth Whitney upon the occasion of her Installation as the
13th President of the New York State Ministers' Wives and Ministers'
Widows Association, Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. W. Ruth Whitney, Brooklyn, New York.