Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Ceremonial Street Designation
Honoree: Bertha A. Freeman
Date(s): Saturday, May 29, 2021
Official Street Name(s): Intersection of Woodbine Avenue and Midland Place
Ceremonial Intersection Name: Bertha A. Freeman Way
Sponsor: Council Member, Joseph A. McCallum
Additional Information:
body
WHEREAS, Ordinance 6PSF-f, adopted on May 20, 2015, authorizes the designation of an intersection, etc. for honorary and ceremonial purposes; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Bertha Anquanctta Freeman was born July 6, 1963 in Newark, New Jersey, and was a proud product of the Newark School system. As an outstanding student and gifted musically, she was recognized in the 4h grade by the Star Ledger newspaper for her excellence in learning Spanish and Swahilli and also mastered the flute while attending and graduating from Arts High School; and
WHEREAS, after graduation from high school she joined the United States Marine Corps and served proudly and honorably until her discharge in 1982 and began her civilian career dedicated to community activism and service and working for the Newark Museum; and
WHEREAS, a recipient of numerous civic awards and accolades for her community service, she served as a valued member of Newark’s Board of Adjustment and was integral in the development and launch of Newark’s crown jewel, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, which includes her name inscribed on the exterior, and also spearheaded the development of 4th Precinct Newark Police Station and redevelopment of Ivy Hill Park while serving as the President of the Ivy Hill Neighborhood Association; and
WHEREAS, a fashionista, avid art collector and poet, Bertha Anquanctta Freeman, performed musically with the Cathedral Orchestra of Perth Amboy and officially retired from the workforce in 2018 after many years of employment with the Newark Museum.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Municipal Council does hereby authorize the honorary and ceremonial renaming of the intersection of Woodbine Avenue and Midland Place as “Bertha A. Freeman Way”.
2. The official name of the said streets shall remain Woodbine Avenue and Midland Place in their entirety.
STATEMENT
This resolution authorizes the naming of the intersection of Woodbine Avenue and Midland Place as “Bertha A. Freeman Way”, for honorary and ceremonial purposes.