Honor Daquetta P. Jones

Senate Resolution No. 181 BY: Senator BRESLIN HONORING Daquetta P. Jones upon the occasion of being named a 2018 Distinguished Alumnus by the Hudson Valley Community College Foundation and Alumni Association on September 22, 2018 WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in acknowledging its esteemed residents who have distinguished themselves in their profession and in their community; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Daquetta P. Jones upon the occasion of being named a 2018 Distinguished Alumnus by the Hudson Valley Community College Foundation and Alumni Association to be celebrated at its Alumni Awards Brunch on Homecoming Weekend, Saturday, September 22, 2018, at the Bulmer Telecommunications Center, Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York; and WHEREAS, Born in Miami, Florida, Daquetta P. Jones grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and Tampa, Florida; later, she relocated to Albany, New York; after earning her associate's degree in human services from Hudson Valley Community College, she received her bachelor's degree in Crime and Justice Policy from The Sage Colleges of Albany; in 2011, she graduated from The Sage Colleges Graduate School of Management; and WHEREAS, Always eager to learn, Daquetta P. Jones truly believes "We learn something new every day as many people are teaching us. All we must do is listen and when we do; we'll hear it, apply it, see growth and pay it forward. Keep picking up GEMS."; and WHEREAS, In December of 2013, Daquetta P. Jones was appointed Executive Director of YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc. (GCR) in Troy; under her luminous leadership, this vital organization is one of the area's largest providers of supportive, affordable and safe permanent and transitional housing to both single women and women with children through daily economic empowerment, homelessness prevention, food security services and supportive programs; and WHEREAS, Currently, YWCA-GCR houses 104 women and 50 children who would otherwise be homeless or living in substandard housing; and WHEREAS, As an experienced, dedicated, charismatic and visionary professional and leader, Daquetta P. Jones is committed to upholding YWCA-GCR's mission of eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all; she has spoken on various panels such as Girls Rising, Empowerment of Women, Diversity and Inclusion, Grassroots Organizing, Social and Racial Injustices, Pay inequity, NYS of Women, Community Leadership, Gender equity, Leadership Tips, and Domestic Violence, as well as Unstoppable Women; and WHEREAS, In addition to her exemplary work with YWCA-GCR, Daquetta P. Jones is a vital member of many Capital Region boards of directors and committees; and WHEREAS, For her steadfast and unremitting commitment to her profession and community, Daquetta P. Jones has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including the 2016 Union College and Community Foundation of the Greater Capital Region Women and Girl Cohort Leadership Institute Certificate, the 2015 Addy Award by Working Pictures, the 2016 40 Under 40 Community Leader Award by Albany Business Review, the 2016 Character Education Civic Organization Award by The Sage Colleges Esteves School of Education Academy, the 2016 Owl Award by Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, the 2017 Outstanding Young Alumni Award by The Sage Colleges, a 2017 Leadership Institute Certificate by the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, the 2017 United Sisters of New York Women Who Rock Award, the 2018 Women Who Help Women Award by the Zonta Club of Albany, and the 2018 40 Change Makers Award by the Center for Women in Government and Civil Society; she was also named a Woman Who Means Business by the Albany Business Review; and WHEREAS, Throughout her life, Daquetta P. Jones has always led by example and lives each and every day by her mantra, "Be Empowered, Empower Others, and Always Smile"; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Daquetta P. Jones upon the occasion of being named a 2018 Distinguished Alumnus by the Hudson Valley Community College Foundation and Alumni Association on September 22, 2018; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Daquetta P. Jones.