LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Shawnee Benton-Gibson, L.M.S.W. upon the
occasion of her designation for special recognition by the Spirit of A
Woman Leadership 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
Shawnee Benton-Gibson, L.M.S.W. upon the occasion of her designation for
special recognition 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, Shawnee Benton-Gibson is the co-founder and co-president of
the S.O.W.; she is a graduate of New York University's Shirley Ehren-
krantz School of Social Work and a licensed social work practitioner;
she possesses 20 years of professional experience and is trained in
chemical dependency education, prevention and treatment; she is also an
experienced therapist with a specialization in adolescent, family and
group therapy, as well as parent education, workshop facilitation,
curriculum development and grant writing; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, in her role as the Coordinator of Parent and
Substance Abuse Services, Ms. Benton-Gibson assisted with the transfor-
mation of the epistemology of foster care providers throughout the city
of New York by developing a community-based program called "Parents and
Youth as Partners"; this particular program was established to provide
hope, assistance and concrete services to children and families attempt-
ing to navigate the rigors of the foster care system; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Benton-Gibson previously served as an Investigator for
the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
(OASAS) where she used her clinical and administrative skills to address
issues of abuse, fraud and neglect within the field of chemical depend-
ency; in her first two years of service she received two prestigious
Commissioner Awards for outstanding service; and
WHEREAS, Shawnee Benton-Gibson is a consultant, trainer and workshop
facilitator for EPIC (Every Person Influences Children) and provides
consultant services to various agencies and institutions throughout the
city; she is a former member of St. Paul Community Baptist Church in
Brooklyn and is an actress, singer, playwright and mother of three beau-
tifully gifted children, Shamony, Jasmine and Najiah; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Shawnee Benton-Gibson's distin-
guished 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 Shawnee Benton-Gibson, L.M.S.W. upon the occasion of her desig-
nation 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 Shawnee Benton-Gibson, L.M.S.W.