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WHEREAS, Rachel J. Poole, presently a resident of Crawford Square, has led an accomplished life punctuated by trailblazing accomplishments and a selfless commitment to the community; and
WHEREAS, in 1943 Mrs. Poole became the first African-American woman admitted to University of Pittsburgh's nursing program, thereby setting the example, raising the bar and opening the path for others to follow; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Poole assumed the position of director of nursing in Western Pennsylvania at Western Psychiatric from 1964 to 1974, the first African American to hold the distinction; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Poole demonstrated her resilience, courage and commitment to the greater good during the civil rights movement, having actively formed a part of, along with husband Marion L. Poole, an integrated group that tried to enter a Wheeling, WV restaurant in the 1950's where Mrs. Poole refused to leave until a gun was pointed at her head; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Poole, in a display of the versatility of her talents, has most recently taken on the role of author with the writing of the children's book The Girl with Green Bean Hair, inspired from a dream she had in 2007 that showcases an imaginative and philanthropic mind at work, the story of the adventures experienced by an elderly lady who, upon waking one morning, finds herself once more in her youth with green bean hair that is used to feed the hungry children of the world;
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend and congratulate Rachel J. Poole on her diverse accomplishments in the field of nursing, her contribution to the Civil Rights movement, and the publication of her book The Girl with Green Bean Hair.