LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring legendary actress, poet, playwright,
screenwriter, journalist, and activist Ruby Dee upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of a Black History Month 2011 "Blacks on Broad-
way & Beyond" Award

WHEREAS, With February being Black History Month, it is a time to
reflect on the struggles and victories of African-Americans throughout
our country's history and to recognize their numerous valuable contrib-
utions to society; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
legendary actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist, and
activist Ruby Dee upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a
Black History Month 2011 "Blacks on Broadway & Beyond" Award; and
WHEREAS, This grand event will be held on Monday, February 28, 2011,
at the Gran Piatto d'Oro in New York City; and
WHEREAS, Born Ruby Ann Wallace in Cleveland, Ohio, Ruby Dee is being
recognized for her historic collection of work that includes theatre,
television, film, recording, arts and culture, writing and social activ-
ism; and
WHEREAS, A few highlights of Ms. Dee's career include: landing a role
in the play, "South Pacific" in 1943; becoming the first black woman to
play lead roles at the American Shakespeare Festival, and winning an
Obie Award for her portrayal of "Lena" in Athol Fugard's "Boseman and
Lena"; receiving a Drama Desk Award for her role in Alice Childress's
"Wedding Band" and an Ace Award for her performance in Eugene O'Neil's
"Long Days Journey Into Night"; appearing in over 50 films, playing
Jackie Robinson's wife in "The Jackie Robinson Story" and forty years
later, playing his mother in the television production, "The Court
Martial of Jackie Robinson"; possessing film credits "A Raisin In The
Sun" (1961), "Uptight" (1968), "Buck And The Preacher" (1972), "Roots"
(1978), "Do The Right Thing" (1989) and "The Delany Sisters: The First
Hundred Years" (1999); and
WHEREAS, Ruby Dee won an Emmy Award for her performance in the Hall-
mark Hall of Fame production, "Decoration Day"; her published works
include the humorous, MY ONE GOOD NERVE and various recordings for young
people; in 1998, she and her husband, the late Ossie Davis co-wrote the
autobiographical book, WITH OSSIE AND RUBY: IN THIS LIFE TOGETHER, in
which they take turns telling their stories as actors, activists, a
married couple and as parents; and
WHEREAS, In 2000, Ruby Dee received the Screen Actors Guild's Life
Achievement Award and was also an inductee in the Theater Hall of Fame
as well as the NAACP Hall of Fame; in 2008, she was awarded the Screen
Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film,
"American Gangster"; she also received an Academy Award nomination for
this role; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to those individuals whose commitment and creative talents have
contributed to the entertainment and cultural enrichment of their commu-
nity and the entire State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor legendary actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist, and
activist Ruby Dee upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a
Black History Month 2011 "Blacks on Broadway & Beyond" Award; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, he tran-
smitted to legendary actress Ruby Dee.