LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Barbara Ann Seals Nevergold upon
the occasion of her designation for special recognition as recipient of
the 2009 Governor's Women's History Month Award

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, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those distinguished citizens who devote their time and ener-
gies to the service of their community and profession, participating in
civic affairs and enhancing the character and quality of life for all
citizens; and
WHEREAS, It is also the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Barbara Ann Seals Nevergold upon the occasion of her designation
for special recognition as recipient of the 2009 Governor's Women's
History Month Award; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated on
Tuesday, March 24, 2009, in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Ann Seals Nevergold is the co-author of UNCROWNED
QUEENS: AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY BUILDERS OF WESTERN NEW YORK; this
book and the "Uncrowned Queens Project" provides an extensive examina-
tion of the role the African American community played in the Pan Ameri-
can Exposition of 1901, held in Buffalo, New York; and
WHEREAS, In her role as a co-chair of the Uncrowned Queens focus
group, Barbara Ann Seals Nevergold envisioned the "Uncrowned Queens
Project" as a vehicle to honor the Black women of Western New York who
had lived in the era from the Pan American Exposition to the present;
and
WHEREAS, A native of Louisiana, Barbara Ann Seals Nevergold moved to
the East side of Buffalo, New York, in 1947; she is a graduate of the
Buffalo Public Schools, Buffalo State College, and the University at
Buffalo; earning a Doctor of Philosophy degree at UB in Counseling
Education, she also studied at Laval University in Quebec, Canada and at
the University of Dijon in Dijon, France; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Ann Seals Nevergold is an educator, administrator,
community and political activist; she has served in leadership roles on
numerous local and national boards, including the Heritage Centers,
Buffalo Psychiatric Center, the Buffalo Rotary Club and the Afro Ameri-
can Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier, Inc.; her previous
board memberships have included the Buffalo General Hospital, Planned
Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., Kaleida Health Trustee Steering
Committee, Gethsemane Manor, St. John Christian Academy, Columbus Hospi-
tal, the YWCA of Buffalo and Erie County, the Western New York Council
for African Relief, and the Buffalo Alliance for Education; and
WHEREAS, A vocal advocate for parental involvement in the public
schools, Barbara Ann Seals Nevergold co-founded Concerned Parents and
Citizens for Quality Education, Inc., which was credited with increasing
public awareness of educational issues and organizing parents as effec-
tive advocates; in addition, she served on a number of committees and
task forces established by the Buffalo Board of Education; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Ann Seals Nevergold began her career as a French
teacher in the Buffalo school system; she also worked as a guidance
counselor in the system; subsequently, she has held positions as: Execu-

tive Director of Niagara Frontier Association for Sickle Cell Disease,
Inc.; Vice President for Children's Services at Friendship House of
Western New York, Inc.; CEO of Planned Parenthood of Buffalo and Erie
County, Inc.; and Regional Director for Berkshire Farm Center; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Barbara Ann Seals Nevergold is the Director of
Student Support Services at the University of Buffalo's Educational
Opportunity Center; she also is an instructor at Empire State College;
and
WHEREAS, Barbara Ann Seals Nevergold is the author of: "Fantastic
Color & Special Effects: The Seals Ebony Studio" in WESTERN NEW YORK
HERITAGE MAGAZINE; "To Be an Instrument for Their Voices: Finding, Writ-
ing and Sharing Family Histories" in AFRO-AMERICANS IN NEW YORK LIFE AND
HISTORY; and "Transracial Adoption: In the Child's Best Interest?" in
AFRICAN AMERICA WOMEN'S HEALTH AND SOCIAL ISSUES; and
WHEREAS, Among the numerous awards received by Barbara Ann Seals
Nevergold are: the Williams Wells Brown Award in recognition of her
efforts to preserve local African American history; the UB Star Award
2001 for outstanding work on the Pan American Exposition centennial
celebration; the Excellence in Education Award from Xi Epsilon Omega
Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; and the Community Service
Award from the Mary B. Talbert Civic and Cultural Club; and
WHEREAS, A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Xi Epsilon
Omega Chapter, Inc. and the Erie County Chapter of the Links, Inc.,
Barbara Ann Seals Nevergold also serves on the Christian Education
Ministry and is involved in myriad other activities at St. John Baptist
Church; and
WHEREAS, Barbara Ann Seals Nevergold and her husband, Paul, are the
proud parents of two adult children, Alanna Elizabeth Nevergold-Marrow
and Kyle Robert; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her professional and communi-
ty service, a period of constructive involvement, Barbara Ann Seals
Nevergold has stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Barbara Ann Seals Nevergold has
displayed throughout her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their profession and community,
and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence, certainly
have earned the recognition and applause of all citizens of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Barbara Ann Seals Nevergold upon the occasion of her desig-
nation for special recognition as recipient of the 2009 Governor's
Women's History Month Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Barbara Ann Seals Nevergold.