2009-J4569
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Alma Carroll, President of Bedford-Stuy-
vesant Interagency Council of the Aging upon the occasion of her desig-
nation for special recognition by BWICA Educational Fund, Inc. in cele-
bration of International Women's Month
WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Alma Carroll has given not only of her time and energies but
also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Alma
Carroll, President of Bedford-Stuyvesant Interagency Council of the
Aging upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by
BWICA Educational Fund, Inc. in celebration of International Women's
Month; and
WHEREAS, International Women's Month (IWM), celebrated every March
across the world, also incorporates International Women's Day on March
8th; this is a month for global celebration of the economic, political
and social achievements of women; and
WHEREAS, Alma Carroll was born in Asheville, North Carolina, "The Land
of the Sky"; she has lived in Bedford-Stuyvesant for 56 years where she
has worked with such great activists as Herbert Von King, founder of the
Bedford-Stuyvesant Interagency Council of the Aging; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Carroll has served as President of the Council since
1991; among the highlights of her work at the Interagency Council is the
annual celebration of the Bed-Stuy Royal Court Coronation of Elders,
which recognizes the eldest male and female of the community; and
WHEREAS, Active in her community, Alma Carroll has served as President
of the Bedford-Stuyvesant Beautification Association and as Board Member
of the Magnolia Tree Earth Center; as Secretary to Herbert Von King, she
was part of the effort to raise funds to ensure that important buildings
in the community were landmarked and not destroyed; and
WHEREAS, Alma Carroll has traveled to Washington, D.C. and Albany to
defend the rights of seniors in her community on particular issues such
as Healthcare, Social Security, Medicare, Nutrition, and Crime and Safe-
ty issues for seniors and their families; and
WHEREAS, Alma Carroll and her late husband, the renowned jazz singer
Joe Carroll, founded the Jazzpazzazz Preservation Society in the 1970s;
in 1999, Ms. Carroll founded the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium, which
annually presents 30 days of jazz during the spring of each year; this
festival has expanded to South Africa in the past few years; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her children, Elliott, Loyce,
and Juanita, her grandchildren, Loyce, Melody, Danier, and Devin, as
well as her great-grandchild, Danier, Jr., all of whom feel privileged
to be a part of her life and rejoice in her achievements; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Alma Carroll'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 Alma Carroll, President of Bedford-Stuyvesant Interagency Council
of the Aging upon the occasion of her designation for special recogni-
tion by BWICA Educational Fund, Inc. in celebration of International
Women's Month; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Alma Carroll.