NYCHA Now

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NYCHA Now
Women's History Month
March 2019 

Visionary Women

Michael Corwin
Women's History Month
From left to right: Administrative Community Relations Specialist Kadijah Wilson, Leslie Stone, Housing Manager Renee Taylor, Administrative Housing Superintendent Anya James, Keynote Speaker Colia Clark, NYCHA NAACP Branch President Lynn Spivey, Mary Spivey, Chief of the Leased Housing Department Nancy Lam, Executive Vice President for Capital Projects Deborah Goddard, Red Hook Houses West Resident Association President Lillie Marshall, Kenesha Traynham-Cooper, and Director of Employee Engagement Yvette Andino.

NYCHA’s NAACP Chapter celebrated Women’s History Month in the 90 Church Street Ceremonial Room on March 15, recognizing the accomplishments of visionary women throughout history who championed peace and non-violence – women who led efforts to end war, violence, and injustice and pioneered the use of nonviolence to change society. The event focused on both famous and unsung heroines throughout the ages and the role women have played in the making of history both in the United States and worldwide. The reception celebrated the contributions of women in various fields and also recognized how the Authority’s NAACP branch, established in 1969, is continuing the struggle for social justice while advancing NextGeneration NYCHA goals.

The evening’s honorees included several NYCHA staff:

  • Yvette Andino, Director of Employee Engagement;
  • Deborah Goddard, Executive Vice President for Capital Projects;
  • Anya James, Administrative Housing Superintendent, Human Resources Department – Learning and Professional Development;
  • Nancy Lam, Chief of the Leased Housing Department;
  • Renee Taylor, Housing Manager, Throggs Neck Houses; and
  • Kadijah Wilson, Administrative Community Relations Specialist, Community Development Department.

Ms. Colia Clark, former special assistant to civil rights activist Medgar Evers, was the evening’s guest speaker. A veteran of the civil rights, Black Power, and Pan-African movements, she helped establish equal voting rights in Selma, Alabama. In her remarks, Ms. Clark emphasized the pivotal role that women held in the civil rights and women’s rights movements (and many other struggles) and said that we must continue working together to empower other women.

NYCHA NAACP President Lynn Spivey cited some of the branch’s many goals, including strengthening its partnership with NYCHA’s executive department, reactivating NYCHA’s youth chapter, increasing voter registration, supporting educational workshops for parents on advocacy in the school system, and fostering financial literacy. Ms. Spivey encouraged employees interested in learning more about NYCHA’s NAACP branch to call 347-669-2421 or email nychabranch@gmail.com.