LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Monica C. Dennis upon the occasion of
her designation for special recognition by the Spirit of A Woman Leader-
ship Development Institute

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Monica C. Dennis upon the occasion of her designation for special recog-
nition by the Spirit of A Woman Leadership Development Institute on
Sunday, April 28, 2013, in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, This fine event is to also celebrate the 10th Anniversary of
Spirit of A Woman Leadership Development Institute (S.O.W.); the theme
for the event is: "FIRE STARTERS: HONORING WOMEN WHO INSPIRE & IGNITE
US!"; and
WHEREAS, Over the last decade, S.O.W. has actively engaged in mentor-
ing and shepherding African American teen girls and training profes-
sionals to work with and support them; a Brooklyn-based community organ-
ization, its mission is to educate and elevate an effective positive and
sustainable transformation in the lives of young people of color; and
WHEREAS, Monica Dennis is the co-founder and co-director of S.O.W.;
she facilitates workshops, lectures, and retreats that cultivate leader-
ship and collective consciousness in adolescent girls and women; for the
past 20 years, she served as a consultant and an advisor to various
global organizations, and academic and religious institutions, seeking
her expertise on implementing her youth leadership model into their
programming; and
WHEREAS, An entrepreneur and consultant, Monica Dennis has owned
several businesses for more than 18 years; she served in leadership
roles with several organizations including The People's Institute for
Survival & Beyond (PISAB); and
WHEREAS, Monica Dennis facilitates professional staff development
workshops, conferences and forums for the Administration for Children's
Services, Texas Department of Child Protective Services, New York City
Department of Health, Columbia University School of Social Work, NYU
Steinhardt School of Education, Teacher's College, NYU Metro Center for
Urban Education, NYU Wagner School of Public Service, Girl Scouts USA,
Merrill Lynch, Fidelity Investments, Casey Family Services, Rockefeller
Foundation, Ford Foundation, the Fieldston School, the Calhoun School,
the Green School and the Harlem Children's Zone; and
WHEREAS, Facilitating training on six continents, Monica Dennis has
published articles in numerous professional journals, national magazines
and online newsletters; she served as the chairperson of the Brooklyn
CARES Mentoring Movement and is also a New York State advisory board
member of the Access to Recovery program; she is a native New Yorker and
serves on numerous community-based and professional committees; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Monica Dennis's distinguished record
merits the recognition and respectful tribute of this Legislative Body;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Monica C. Dennis upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by the Spirit of A Woman Leadership Development Institute;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Monica C. Dennis.