LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Brooklyn Branch of the Key Women
of America, Inc. upon the occasion of its 32nd Annual Awards Luncheon,
and saluting its honorees

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those organiza-
tions who give positive definition to the profile and disposition of the
communities of the State of New York do so profoundly strengthen our
shared commitment to the exercise of freedom; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
commend the Brooklyn Branch of the Key Women of America for their years
of dedicated service; and
WHEREAS, On Saturday, April 4, 2009, the Brooklyn Branch of the Key
Women of America, Inc. will host its 32nd Annual Awards Luncheon at the
Fleur de Lis, Ridgewood, Queens, New York; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Bertha Nelms Harris and a group of other women were
asked to help a student write a thesis on foster care; as they studied
and observed the problems with foster care, they decided to devote more
time to the issue, in order to alleviate or eradicate the many problems
that existed; and
WHEREAS, This informal assemblage gradually grew into a larger group,
and became what is now known as Key Women of America; and
WHEREAS, Key Women of America, Inc. was officially established when
Bertha Harris, Mae Thomas, Mae Garris, Mildred Webber and Grace Alexan-
der signed a certificate of incorporation on December 23, 1966; and
WHEREAS, The word "Key" was chosen because key people would be
researching the social problems, and the name "Women" was selected
because the group consisted of women from all walks of life; and
WHEREAS, The first branch began in Manhattan, and Queens was the site
for the second branch; founder Reverend Bertha Harris served as Presi-
dent of the Manhattan branch for many years; and
WHEREAS, One of Reverend Harris' main concerns was the problem of
youth in conflict with the law; during her many visits to penal insti-
tutions, she noticed that young male adults were incarcerated with older
hardened criminals; and
WHEREAS, At one of her visits to the Tombs, a penal institution in
Manhattan, she met Alice Groves, who counseled inmates at the institu-
tion; Reverend Harris convinced her to use her talent to write a play
about youth incarceration and the problems youths faced when released;
and
WHEREAS, Alice Groves' play "Do It" was subsequently performed, and it
received such recognition that the State finally did address the ills of
the penal system for young men, and established the first residential
home in New York City for boys between the ages of 16 and 21; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Harris listened with deep concern to radio broad-
casts reporting the many children in New York City who needed homes; her
investigations revealed that many of these children were the products of
broken homes and incapacitated parents and some were orphans; and
WHEREAS, Key Women assisted in securing foster and adoptive homes for
these children throughout New York City; the untiring efforts on behalf
of many waiting children have been of inestimable value to the city; and
WHEREAS, Although the prevention of juvenile delinquency is the prima-
ry goal of the Key Women of America, Inc., family services and community
needs have also been an active part of the program; and
WHEREAS, Today Key Women of America, Inc. is a national service organ-
ization, comprising the following branches: seven in the Southern

Region, Georgia and North Carolina; one in Indianapolis, Indiana; one in
Bermuda; and 15 in Metropolitan New York; and
WHEREAS, Organized in 1972, under the leadership of Mrs. Lillian
James, the Brooklyn Branch of the Key Women of America established four
themes as its guiding principles: "Investment in Children, Family
Service, Community Needs, and World Concerns"; and
WHEREAS, Each year the Key Women of America, Inc. acknowledge those
members of the community who strive to create an improved quality of
life for all they encounter; and
WHEREAS, The honorees for 2009 include: Mrs. Anna L. Nance, Deacon of
the Berean Missionary Baptist Church, Churchwoman of the Year Award;
Reverend Craig B. Gaddy, Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Ecumenical
Award; Ms. Sandra Arthur, Deaconess of Concord Baptist Church of Christ,
Humanitarian Award; Ms. Sherif Fraser, District Manager of Community
Board 17, Community Service Award; Gregorio Mayers, Senior Policy Advi-
sor, Deputy Mayor for Education and Community Development, Man of the
Year Award; Mrs. Ella L. Hodge, Executive Secretary for Churchwomen
United in Brooklyn, Inc., Virtuous Woman Award; and Dr. Kim Best, 2nd
Vice President of the Brooklyn Branch of Key Women of America, Inc.,
Appreciation Award; and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Branch of the Key Women of America has selected
these luminous individuals who have demonstrated an unyielding dedi-
cation to the betterment of the community and the people who form it;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, 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
unanimously applaud the outstanding contributions of the Brooklyn Branch
of the Key Women of America and their honored guests; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ms. Ellen K. Smalls, President of the Key Women of America,
Inc., Brooklyn Branch, and to its honorees.