LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring President Emily Kernan Rafferty upon the
occasion of her retirement after 39 years of distinguished service to
the Metropolitan Museum of Art

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those individuals
whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stat-
ure 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
President Emily Kernan Rafferty upon the occasion of her retirement
after 39 years of distinguished service to the Metropolitan Museum of
Art; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in New York City, Emily Kernan Rafferty grad-
uated from Boston University, cum laude, and started her professional
career as an assistant to David Rockefeller, Jr.; in 1973, she was named
Deputy Director of Education at Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art;
and
WHEREAS, In 1976, this esteemed woman began her career with the Metro-
politan Museum of Art serving as an Administrator for Corporate, Founda-
tion and Individual Fundraising; she was next promoted to Manager of
Development in 1981, and later became Vice President for Development and
Membership, where she served from 1984 until 1996; and
WHEREAS, After serving admirably as Senior Vice President for External
Affairs, Emily Kernan Rafferty was elected to the illustrious position
of President of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2005; and
WHEREAS, President Emily Kernan Rafferty served with loyalty, honor
and distinction as the museum's Chief Administrative Officer; she
expertly directed the approximately 1,500 full and part-time museum
employees in such areas as finance, technology, legal affairs,
construction and facilities management and human resources, as well as
in government relations at the federal, state, and city levels; and
WHEREAS, For nearly four decades, Emily Kernan Rafferty rendered
faithful, conscientious and valuable service to the Metropolitan Museum
of Art; and
WHEREAS, In her official acts, President Emily Kernan Rafferty was
governed by a keen sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of
human problems; and
WHEREAS, Emily Kernan Rafferty has been called upon to contribute her
time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has
always given of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, Emily Kernan Rafferty was named to the board of the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and became Chairman of the New York
Federal Reserve in December of 2012; she has also served as Chairwoman
of NYC & Company, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the
National September 11 Memorial & Museum; and
WHEREAS, A frequent speaker on non-profit management and fundraising,
Emily Kernan Rafferty has been a long-time contributor to numerous arts
and inter-museum organizations; she has been a member of ArtTable, the
Association of Fundraising Professionals, Women in Financial Develop-
ment, and the Development Committee of the American Association of Muse-
ums; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Emily Kernan Rafferty has served on the Steering
Committee of the Association for a Better New York, the Women's Forum,
and Media NYC 2020; and
WHEREAS, Emily Kernan Rafferty's dedication to helping her community
is further illustrated by her many volunteer activities; she is a life-
time honorary trustee of the Convent of the Sacred Heart School in New

York, and has also served for more than 10 years as Board Vice President
of the Independent School Chairmen Association; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of countless awards and honors, Emily Kernan
Rafferty received an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from
Pace University in 2014, as well as past honorary degrees from Fairfield
University and the College of New Rochelle; furthermore, she received
NYU's Lewis Rudin Award for Exemplary Service to New York City, and has
been named one of New York City's 100 most influential women by CRAIN'S
NEW YORK BUSINESS; and
WHEREAS, Emily Kernan Rafferty was the 2007 honoree of ArtTable, a
group of leading women in cultural affairs, and has earned both a
Special Service Award for the Museum from the New York Landmarks Conser-
vancy, and a Community and Public Service "Emmy" Award from the National
Academy for Television Arts and Sciences; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband, John, their son
and daughter, and two grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a
part of her life and rejoice in her achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor President Emily Kernan Rafferty upon the occasion of her retire-
ment after 39 years of distinguished service to the Metropolitan Museum
of Art; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Emily Kernan Rafferty.