LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ruth Cherry upon the occasion of her
retirement after 45 years of distinguished service to the Bedford Stuy-
vesant Early Childhood Development Center, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and character
whose endeavors have enhanced the quality of education in this great
State; and
WHEREAS, The result of many individual efforts, the excellence and the
success of the Bedford Stuyvesant Early Childhood Development Center,
Inc. is due in large part to the efforts of Ruth Cherry; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Ruth Cherry
upon the occasion of her retirement after 45 years of distinguished
service to the Bedford Stuyvesant Early Childhood Development Center,
Inc., to be observed at a retirement celebration on Friday, April 15,
2011; and
WHEREAS, In 1966, the Bedford-Stuyvesant community, under the sponsor-
ship of a community based organization named Youth-In-Action, created
the Bedford Stuyvesant Head Start, now known as the Bedford Stuyvesant
Early Childhood Development Center, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, A native of North Carolina, Ruth Cherry earned her Bachelor
of Arts degree in Psychology at North Carolina Central University,
followed by a master's degree in Education from Bank Street College of
Education in New York; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Cherry began her career in education as a Group Teacher,
and as Bedford Stuyvesant Head Start's first official employee; over the
years, she advanced her positions within the School, being promoted to
Education Director, then Director of Education, Deputy Director, Interim
Acting Executive Director, and finally as Executive Director; and
WHEREAS, During her tenure at Bedford Stuyvesant Early Childhood
Development Center, Inc., Ruth Cherry was forerunner to the development,
coordination, and implementation of programs which helped to meet the
needs of children and families within the Bedford-Stuyvesant community;
and
WHEREAS, Using her unparalleled talent as a grant writer, Ruth Cherry
was able to secure funds which allowed for the initiation of numerous
programs at Bedford Stuyvesant Head Start including: the New York State
Even Start Family Literacy Program; the Healthy Heart Walking Club and
Wellness Wednesday Program for Head Start parents and community resi-
dents; and a program to support and provide mental health services to
Bedford Stuyvesant Head Start families after September 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, More recently, Ruth Cherry's scrupulous efforts resulted in
the development and coordination of one of the first Universal Pre-Kin-
dergarten programs in the Greater New York area as well as the Bedford
Stuyvesant Head Start Extended Day Program, both in coordination with
the New York City Department of Education; and
WHEREAS, In addition to securing a myriad of programming for the
Bedford Stuyvesant Head Start, Ruth Cherry served as the school's
Conference Planner, Certified Family Literacy Trainer, and Certified
Early Childhood Education Trainer; she also facilitated numerous work-
shops and training sessions for several national and international early
childhood education and literacy organizations; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Cherry has continually demonstrated an impressive dedi-
cation, an unparalleled devotion and an unremitting enthusiasm for the
quality of the educational programs and opportunities offered at the
Bedford Stuyvesant Early Childhood Development Center, Inc. for the

benefit of its faculty and students, as well as for the entire communi-
ty; and
WHEREAS, In completing her service as a teacher, Ruth Cherry leaves
behind more than mere bricks and mortar; she leaves behind a legacy to
the residents of the Bedford-Stuyvesant community and to future gener-
ations of its students; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Ruth Cherry upon the occasion of her retirement, and for her
significant contributions to education in New York State; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ruth Cherry.