Senate Resolution No. 2815

BY: Senator PARKER

HONORING Antonia Yuille Williams upon the occasion
of her retirement after 34 years of distinguished
service to Con Edison Company of New York,
Incorporated

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
those individuals whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to
enhance the stature of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Antonia Yuille Williams upon the occasion of her retirement after 34
years of distinguished service to Con Edison Company of New York,
Incorporated, to be celebrated at a retirement party on Friday, June 3,
2022, at the Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, For the past 34 years, Antonia Yuille Williams,
affectionately known as Toni, rendered faithful, conscientious, and
valuable service to Con Edison Company of New York, Incorporated (Con
Edison); and

WHEREAS, In her capacity as Director of Regional and Community
Affairs, Antonia Yuille Williams served with loyalty, honor and
distinction; and

WHEREAS, Antonia Yuille Williams graduated Summa Cum Laude from the
University of Massachusetts in Amherst and completed a graduate degree
in health services administration from the University of Michigan at Ann
Arbor; she went on to complete certificate programs in corporate
community relations and social responsibility at Boston College and
community negotiations at Harvard University; and

WHEREAS, She has also served in an academic staff position at the
University of California at Berkeley, and was an Adjunct Professor at
St. Francis College; she is a graduate of the American Academy of
Dramatic Art; and

WHEREAS, Antonia Yuille Williams joined Con Edison in 1988 as
Manager of Public Information, and shortly thereafter was promoted to
the Director of Public Affairs position with the company; and

WHEREAS, As Director, Antonia Yuille Williams develops the strategic
direction for the Brooklyn Community Affairs department, for one of the
nation's largest investor-owned energy companies; her responsibilities
include government relations, corporate community relations, strategic
partnerships, media relations, employee communications, volunteerism,
and special events; and

WHEREAS, In her official acts, Antonia Yuille Williams was governed
by a keen sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human
problems; and

WHEREAS, Antonia Yuille Williams is also the creator, on air
personality, and executive producer of "Brooklyn Savvy," a Talk Show
which airs three times a week on NYClife; the show explores topical and
social justice issues resonant to people living in an urban environment;
she has created a library of content of over 300 episodes, and has a
very active social media presence; and

WHEREAS, As a result of the talk show, Mayor Michael Bloomberg's
Commission of Women's Issues honored her at their Annual Women's History
Month Program for her part in shaping the dialogue around women's
issues; and

WHEREAS, "Brooklyn Savvy" was also recognized with two awards from
the Black and Latino Filmmakers Coalition where she received the top
award for outstanding series, followed by the top producer award;
Antonia Yuille Williams also received a Telly Award for excellence in
community programming for her work on The Brooklyn Reporter Roundtable;
and

WHEREAS, Antonia Yuille Williams recently launched a new radio show
called "Art Movez" which explores the intersection of art and social
justice and art and technology; the show takes place on WNYE 91.5 on
Sunday nights; and

WHEREAS, A devoted member of her community, Antonia Yuille Williams
is Chair of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, Chair of the
Brooklyn Arts Council, and the Chair of The Billie Holiday Theater; she
is also on the board of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation,
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration
Corporation, BRIC Arts Media, Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, and New
York City Technical College Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Antonia Yuille Williams is also the former First Vice Chair
of The Brooklyn Links, Inc. Brooklyn Chapter, and Former Vice Chair of
Jack and Jill of America, Brooklyn Chapter; she was also appointed to
the Mayor's Panel on the Role of Brooklyn in the 19th Century
Abolitionist Movement; and

WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, Antonia
Yuille Williams has received with the highest honor a leader can receive
the Outstanding Brooklynite Award, given only to those who have made an
outstanding contribution, while providing exemplary service to the
Borough, the Business Leader of the Year Award from the National Negro
Business and Professional Women's Club, and the prestigious Corporate
Citizen of the Year Award from the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, amongst
numerous other revered recognitions; and

WHEREAS, Toni has been featured in numerous articles in Our Time
Press, Harlem Times, Brooklyn Spectator, Courier Life Publications, and
Industry Magazine; she has also presented at numerous conference
workshops, and seminars; and

WHEREAS, During her tenure with Con Edison, Antonia Yuille Williams
earned the admiration, esteem, and affection of her colleagues; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Antonia Yuille Williams upon the occasion of her retirement after
34 years of distinguished service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Antonia Yuille Williams.