LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION recognizing the rededication of the YWCA of
Brooklyn Community Art Gallery to Jeannette Ruby Nottage posthumously to
be observed during National Women's History Month

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those individuals and organizations which have shown a long-
standing commitment to improving the quality of life in their communi-
ties; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to recognize
the rededication of the YWCA of Brooklyn Community Art Gallery to Jean-
nette Ruby Nottage posthumously to be observed during National Women's
History Month, to be celebrated at a reception at the newly renovated
YWCA of Brooklyn on Friday, March 25, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The YWCA Brooklyn has been a neighborhood landmark for over
120 years; its mission is to eliminate racism and empower women; serving
over 10,000 women each year, the YWCA is dedicated to providing women
with the tools they need to empower themselves, while developing initi-
atives that promote gender equality and racial justice; and
WHEREAS, An educator, an artist, a community activist and a mother,
Jeannette Ruby Nottage, affectionately known as Ruby, was a native
Brooklynite; she attended New York City public schools, graduating from
Erasmus Hall High School; she went on to earn a bachelor's degree from
the University of Bridgeport and a master's degree from New York Univer-
sity as well as a Professional Certificate from Pace University; and
WHEREAS, Ruby Nottage enjoyed a 30-year career in New York City public
schools, first as a teacher, then as an assistant principal and ulti-
mately, as the principal of P.S. 93; and
WHEREAS, Ruby Nottage's activism began as a young woman in the early
1960s when she traveled to Farmville, Virginia, during the civil rights
movement to teach in the freedom schools; one of her most cherished
experiences was the year she spent in Haiti helping to establish daycare
centers for children; and
WHEREAS, This outstanding woman proudly served the Brooklyn YWCA as a
member of the Board, President and Trustee for 15 years; she also served
as a Political Planning Chair for the Brooklyn Women's Political Caucus
and as a member of the Community Advisory Board for Medgar Evers
College; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Ruby Nottage was a founding member of the Coali-
tion for Community Empowerment, a Brooklyn based organization of African
American elected officials; among her numerous honors, she was named the
1997 Woman of the Year by Brooklyn Links, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Ruby Nottage will be remembered for her glorious smile, her
incredible grace and her generosity of spirit; she dedicated her life to
activism and inspired in others the will to effect change; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate
those events of historical significance as well as honor those individ-
uals, who add strength, vigor and inspiration to the cultural diversity
and quality of life in the communities of the State of New York; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize the rededication of the YWCA of Brooklyn Community Art Gallery
to Jeannette Ruby Nottage posthumously to be observed during National
Women's History Month; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the YWCA of Brooklyn, and the family of Jeannette Ruby
Nottage.