Honor Mary Hoar's Service

23, 2018 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that women of every economic, ethnic, and religious background have made significant contributions to their community and to the State of New York, and it is appropriate to recognize them and to publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Mary Hoar upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition at the 2nd Annual Women's History Month Celebration to be feted on Friday, March 23, 2018, at the Grinton I. Will Library in Yonkers, New York; and WHEREAS, Mary Hoar has truly devoted herself to the welfare of her community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Since the young age of 16, Mary Hoar has devoted her life to service; after graduating from Cornell University, she furthered her education at both Fordham University and Iona College; and WHEREAS, Mary Hoar began her long and distinguished career in education as a kindergarten teacher; through the years, she held several positions, eventually becoming a teacher for the gifted and talented in Yonkers; and WHEREAS, After her retirement, Mary Hoar taught adult computer technology classes, and held the title of EPIC Coordinator of Yonkers Even Start, a program which provides family education to parents; today, she teaches computer courses at Pathways to Success, the Adult Education Center of Yonkers Public Schools; and WHEREAS, Since 2010, Mary Hoar has served as the head New York State Department of Education Teacher Trainer for the SMART Adult Education Program, developed in Yonkers by teachers for teachers; in 2014, this remarkable woman was named the Yonkers Public Schools Adult Education Teacher of the Year; and WHEREAS, An active member and Teacher Building Representative of the Yonkers Federation of Teachers, Mary Hoar has been involved in both school and union committees for almost three decades; and WHEREAS, Mary Hoar has served in multiple leadership roles as a Yonkers Jay-N-Cee, and received local and state awards for community service projects and programs she initiated for this vital organization; at this same time, she became a participant in the Cornell Women's Club of Westchester, serving as Secretary, event Chairperson, and was a member of its Steering Committee; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, Mary Hoar was Branch Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Yonkers Red Cross, where she chaired the Centennial, Youth Services and Competition Committees; she received several Chapter service awards, including the prestigious 1987 Janet Hopkins Memorial Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service; and WHEREAS, Mary Hoar became involved with the Westchester March of Dimes, and worked on the Walkathon Coordinating Committee; she served on the Executive Board of the Northern Metro Chapter of the March of Dimes for 17 years, acting as Chair of the Reading Olympics, and was a member of several committees; for her outstanding service, she was the recipient of many awards, such as the 1987 Outstanding Volunteer Service Award; and WHEREAS, A woman of many interests, Mary Hoar is the President of the Untermyer Performing Arts Council; she initiated the O'Connor Performing Arts Scholarship, and received its 2002 Gryphon Service Award; and WHEREAS, In 1975, Mary Hoar joined the Mayor's Community Relations Committee, and served as Chair of several subcommittees; under her luminous leadership, this Committee instituted the Salute to Yonkers Business and Industry, the Miss Yonkers Pageant, and the Salute to Yonkers Teachers; and WHEREAS, As a mentor for the Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee, Mary Hoar was instrumental in expanding its activities, assisting many not-for-profit organizations in various activities, and the success of the Yonkers' celebrations of the American and New York State Bicentennials; in 1978, she joined the Board of the Family Service Society of Yonkers, where she currently serves as Secretary; and WHEREAS, Mary Hoar is also the President Emerita of the Yonkers Historical Society; she has chaired the Membership and the Archives and Library Committees, and both created and chaired the Education Committee, which awards the Patricia Mangold Scholarships and United States History Awards to Yonkers high school students; she wrote and edited their quarterly newsletter, and was awarded the Key to History; and WHEREAS, Mary Hoar is a dynamic member of the City of Yonkers Landmarks Preservation Board, and a weekly columnist for the Yonkers Rising newspaper; she is a member and officer of the Westchester County Genealogy Society, and serves on the Board of the American Irish Association of Westchester; and WHEREAS, A true public servant, Mary Hoar has also been involved with the Yonkers Marathon Committee, Comhaltas Ceolteoiri Eireann, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (Division 19), Irish History Round Table, Fermi Scholarship Breakfast Committee and the Yonkers Jaycees; and WHEREAS, Mary Hoar was named a Yonkers 2014 Woman of Distinction, and has been listed in Who's Who of America, Who's Who of American Women and Who's Who of the World; in 2016, she was inducted into the Westchester County Senior Hall of Fame; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned our recognition and applause; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Mary Hoar upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition at the 2nd Annual Women's History Month Celebration on March