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WHEREAS on July 16, 1854, while traveling to church through New York City, Elizabeth Jennings withstood physical abuse and public derision, as she resolutely refused to vacate an omnibus because she was an African-American; and
WHEREAS Ms. Jennings' decision to board the bus that day and the subsequent Civil Rights trial that followed led to the eventual desegregation of all carriages and buses in New York City over the course of the next five years; and
WHEREAS in gratitude for the heroic actions undertaken by Elizabeth Jennings, a leader in the early struggle for Civil Rights, the Henry Highland Garnet Society will host a special awards celebration to take place on May 18, 2007 at Bidwell United Presbyterian Church located on Pittsburgh's North Side; and
WHEREAS as part of its 2007 Elizabeth Jennings Day Celebration, the Henry Highland Garnet Society will honor five contemporary women and one organization for their achievements undertaken to improve the quality of life enjoyed by all people; and
WHEREAS these 2007 honorees will include Celeste Taylor, a Civil Rights activist; Jane Downing, an active participant in the Pittsburgh Foundation, the City of Pittsburgh's Department of City Planning, and the "Access to Work" program; Kezia Ellison, a Health Youth Educator; Edna Council, an active participant in the Hill House and the Hill District Consensus Group's "Store Front Project"; Valerie Dixon, a Founder of the "Prevent Crime Before it Happens" Billboard Campaign; and the YWCA's program, "Commitment to Justice"; and
WHEREAS acting in the spirit of Elizabeth Jennings, these honorees continue to inspire and promote positive change for the benefit of their communities by way of their tireless efforts.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby wish to extend its gratitude for the vital contributions of Elizabeth Jennings, while additionally commending the six honorees of the 2007 Elizabeth Jenning...
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