LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Nell Stokes-Holmes upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of a 2013 Woman of Distinction Award by the
Black Women's Association of Albany

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge and
celebrate Women of Distinction who significantly add inspiration and
encouragement to the people of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Nell
Stokes-Holmes upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a
2013 Woman of Distinction Award by the Black Women's Association of
Albany; and
WHEREAS, This special event is the Black Women's Association of
Albany's 8th Annual Women's History Month Celebration which will take
place on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at The Linda in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Nell Stokes-Holmes was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama
and relocated to the Capital District in 1963; in 1972, she decided to
continue her education by attending Hudson Valley Community College and
the College of St. Rose, where she studied Human Services; and
WHEREAS, As a single parent of six children, Nell Stokes-Holmes
received further training as a Professional Staffer with Executive
Potential, from the National Board YWCA Learning Center in Atlanta,
Georgia; she received Public Relations Training from the United Fund of
Saratoga, New York; and also had Management by Objective Training from
the College of St. Rose in its Master's Degree Program; and
WHEREAS, Nell Stokes-Holmes became an active member of her community
in the early 1970s when she was the first African-American to run an
independent candidacy for a seat on the Albany School Board; she has
served on numerous Boards, including Parsons Child and Family Services,
the Neighborhood Resource Center, and the South End Improvement Corpo-
ration as its secretary for six years; and
WHEREAS, Nell Stokes-Holmes is currently on the Board of the Capital
Area Council of Churches and has chaired the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Scholarship/Memorial Service Committee for a total of 18
years; and
WHEREAS, Nell Stokes-Holmes demonstrated her creativity in 1980 while
being employed by the Albany YWCA; she created, designed and implemented
the Black American Essay Contest which encouraged students ages eight to
18, to develop their skills in research and writing; the contest contin-
ued for more than 14 years with excerpts from each winning essay seen on
local television stations each day during the month of February; and
WHEREAS, Nell Stokes-Holmes continues to use her creative talents by
writing, producing and directing original plays; her works are numerous
and have been presented in the Albany Civic Theatre's Playwrights Show-
case; and
WHEREAS, Nell Stokes-Holmes retired as a caseworker from the Albany
County Department of Social Services in 2003; she is a co-founder of the
Black Women's Association of Albany, where she served as Secretary,
Treasurer and President, and is currently a Member-at-Large; and
WHEREAS, Nell Stokes-Holmes is a member of the NAACP, the Underground
Railroad History Project of the Capital Region, Inc. and the League of
Women Voters; she is a founding member of the Martin Luther King, Jr.
Memorial, a Charter Member of the National Museum of African American
History and Culture and the African American Cultural Center of the
Capital Region, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Nell Stokes-Holmes was recently given the Annette DeLavallade
Spotlight Award for outstanding community service by the Albany, New
York Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes that New York State is the
home to countless women who are strong and colorful threads, vital to
the fabric of our rich heritage, who have contributed, and continue to
add to the advancement of our culture through their traditional and
non-traditional roles in society; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Nell Stokes-Holmes upon the occasion of her designation as recipi-
ent of a 2013 Woman of Distinction Award by the Black Women's Associ-
ation of Albany; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Nell Stokes-Holmes.