LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Brooklyn Branch of Key Women of
America, Inc. upon the occasion of its 35th Annual Awards Luncheon on
April 7, 2012 and saluting Ivonne Edna Waldron, recipient of its 2012
Church Woman of the Year Award

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities of New York State are
reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those who distin-
guish themselves in their profession and in service to their community;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Brooklyn Branch of Key Women of America, Inc. upon the occasion of
its 35th Annual Awards Luncheon, to be held at the Fleur de Lis in
Ridgewood, Queens on Saturday, April 7, 2012 and to salute Ivonne Edna
Waldron, recipient of its 2012 Church Woman of the Year Award; and
WHEREAS, Key Women of America, Inc. is a community service organiza-
tion founded in 1954 by the Reverend Bertha Nelms Harris, an ordained
minister who had a deep desire to address the needs of children in the
home, schools, institutions, and in conflict with the law; and
WHEREAS, She called on women leaders to join with her to address these
concerns; she called the women who joined with her "Key Women" and, what
began as a small group of women in Harlem, New York, grew into a larger
group and on December 23, 1966, they incorporated as Key Women of Ameri-
ca, Inc. and chose Investment in Children, Family Service, Community
Needs, and World Concerns as their mission; and
WHEREAS, With Manhattan as its founding and parent body, branches
began to be formed in other boroughs, including Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Branch of Key Women of America, Inc. was organ-
ized in 1972 under the leadership of Mrs. Lillian James; the officers
and members were and continue to be civic minded women who are dedicated
to Key Women's mission and, since its inception, it has undertaken a
variety of worthy causes; and
WHEREAS, Each year at its Annual Awards Luncheon, the Brooklyn Branch
of Key Women of America, Inc. proudly honors individuals who exemplify
those principles and values; Ivonne Edna Waldron truly merits such
recognition; and
WHEREAS, Ivonne Edna Waldron was born in Georgetown, Guyana and was
married to the late Edgar Oscar Waldron, Chief Inspector of Police; she
is the proud mother of two children and has three grandchildren and one
great-grandchild; and
WHEREAS, After emigrating to the United States, Ivonne Edna Waldron
continued to work in finance while pursuing higher education and later
made a career change to investment banking; and
WHEREAS, She possesses a wealth of experience in church affairs having
served as a Vestry member and Treasurer at St. Sidwell's Anglican Church
in Guyana; at St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Brooklyn she has served
as Warden for several terms, in addition to being the chairperson or a
member of various church organizations and committees; and
WHEREAS, In addition to being a Eucharistic Minister/Visitor, Ivonne
Edna Waldron's ministry extends throughout the Diocese, the Archdeacon-
ry, and the community which she considers an extension of her church
home; and
WHEREAS, When funding became available through the Department for the
Aging to open a senior center in the area, Ivonne Edna Waldron became
involved in the application process; when funds were acquired, the
church was named the sponsor of St. Gabriel's Senior Center and Ivonne

Edna Waldron then worked to help the church comply with the mandates and
requirements for opening and operating the Center, which, after 12
years, proudly and ably continues to serve the community; and
WHEREAS, Ivonne Edna Waldron is also involved in navigating the senior
residents housing system to help acquire apartments for members of the
church and community; she considers such opportunities to serve as true
blessings and does so with love and humility; and
WHEREAS, Ivonne Edna Waldron, in addition, serves on numerous boards
and committees, including the Committee on the Status of Women at the
United Nations, and she is an Honorary Member of the Guyana Ex Police
Association of America; and
WHEREAS, Among the many well-deserved accolades and awards Ivonne Edna
Waldron has earned are the Bishop of the Diocese of Long Island's Bish-
ops Medal, the Archdeaconry of Brooklyn's Distinguished Leadership
Award; the Advisor to St. Gabriel's Senior Center's Service and Dedi-
cation Award; the St. Gabriel's Church's Dedicated Service Award; the
Medgar Evers Student Government Association's Community Service Award;
and Citations from the New York City Council and from the Mayor and City
Council of Georgetown, Guyana; 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
commend the Brooklyn Branch of Key Women of America, Inc. upon the occa-
sion of its 35th Annual Awards Luncheon on April 7, 2012 and to salute
Ivonne Edna Waldron, recipient of its 2012 Church Woman of the Year
Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Brooklyn Branch of Key Women of America, Inc. and Ivonne
Edna Waldron.