LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the Anniversary of the death of
Carmen Sophia Rivera, Oya Nike

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to the
lives of those esteemed individuals who distinguished themselves through
their life's work; and
WHEREAS, Carmen Sophia Rivera was born in Puerto Rico in 1944 and came
to New York as a child growing up on both the Lower East Side and in
Brooklyn; she graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1962 and
from the Helene Fuld LPN School in 1964; and
WHEREAS, In 1978, Carmen Sophia Rivera earned her BS degree from the
Borough of Manhattan Community College and her MS degree in Health
Administration from St. Joseph's College in 1983; for 38 years, she
worked at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases as a surgical nurse and
operating room supervisor; and
WHEREAS, On April 26, 1967, Carmen Sophia Rivera was crowned a daugh-
ter of Oya by Luis Rivera, Oke Ewe iba'ye and given the name "Oya Nike";
her Yubona was Mercedes Rojas, Okan To Mi; and
WHEREAS, Because she lost her Baba To Bi as a young Santera, Oya Nike
learned Ocha by volunteering and learning, the many tasks of the igbodu;
for Oya Nike no task was too menial, too small or too low; and
WHEREAS, During her lifetime, Oya Nike was known and respected for her
knowledge, integrity, and humility; these qualities and her absolute
devotion to Orisa allowed her to make everyone feel welcome; she was in
fact a bridge between communities; and
WHEREAS, Oya Nike often noted that her godchildren were African Ameri-
can, Caribbean, Caucasian, Jewish, and Latino; she had 43 years of
service as a priestess of Oya; and
WHEREAS, Oya Nike passed away on May 21, 2011; she leaves behind a
legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a
comforting memory to all she served and befriended; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the Anniversary of the death of Carmen Sophia Rivera, Oya
Nike.