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WHEREAS, Mrs. Alma Naomi Thomas was born to William Henry and Bertha Renatta (Rainey) Thomas in Wilmington, North Carolina on October 8, 1919.; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Alma and Mr. John Burgess began their life together in the Hill District, then moved to East Liberty, Garfield, and finally Squirrel Hill where they raised their children John, Jr. and Janice; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Burgess has volunteered at Shadyside Hospital for more than 15 years, with more than 1,800 hours of service; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Burgess graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with degrees in Secondary Education and Social Work; and,
WHEREAS, she went on to work as clinical psychiatric social worker at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, a field instructor and Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh, and served as the president of the Field Faculty Association at the University of West Virginia School of Social Work; and,
WHEREAS, following her retirement from the VA, Mrs. Burgess was appointed to the position of Mediator by the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, where she counseled divorcing parents and children; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Burgess has been a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority since 1941, and a member of the St. James AME Church since 1947; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Burgess believes her secret to living 100 years is following her favorite passages of scripture that advise to put God first, eating well, and keeping busy mentally and physically.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize the important contributions of Alma Burgess to the Pittsburgh community; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Saturday, September 28, 2019 to be “Alma Burgess 100th Birthday Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.