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File #: 0067X-2019    Version: 1
Type: Ceremonial Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 2/22/2019 In control: Tyson
On agenda: 2/25/2019 Final action: 2/27/2019
Title: To commemorate Columbus City Council’s 2019 Black History Program by honoring and celebrating the lifetime achievements and contributions of Mrs. Catherine T. Willis as a transformational leader in the field of education.
Sponsors: Priscilla Tyson, Elizabeth Brown, Mitchell Brown, Shayla Favor, Emmanuel V. Remy, Shannon G. Hardin

Title

To commemorate Columbus City Council’s 2019 Black History Program by honoring and celebrating the lifetime achievements and contributions of Mrs. Catherine T. Willis as a transformational leader in the field of education.

Body

WHEREAS, the City of Columbus and the members of Columbus City Council are proud to honor and celebrate the legends, legacies, and trailblazers of this community as they represent the prosperity and the transformational leadership that has come to define the tradition of excellence that is Columbus; and

WHEREAS, Columbus City Council’s 2019 Black History Program is proud to honor the legacy and transformational leadership of Mrs. Catherine T. Willis as a shining light in the field of education and the Columbus community at large; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Catherine T. Willis is being recognized for her accomplishments in the field of education because she’s has established a reputation as a dedicated community activist who has supported education, the arts and as an advocate for families; she has been involved in the United Negro College Fund and was a founding member of the Friends of Art for Community Enrichment Inc., and the Ohio Wesleyan University Upward Bound program; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Willis, a former Columbus City Schools teacher has been primarily focused on education - in fact her passion led her to become an active volunteer, supporter and member of the board of directors for the “I Know I Can,” program which guarantees every Columbus City School student an opportunity to attend college - Mrs. Willis also initiated the Chess in the (Neighbor) Hood program at the Martin Luther King Library and because of its success was asked to extend the program to other sites; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Willis’s legacy of advocacy in education extends beyond the borders of the State of Ohio - in fact she continues to be a passionate champion for the Piney Woods Country Life School located in Mississippi - her work there has enabled local studen...

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