Yonkers Insider: Yonkers City Councilman Anthony Merante 6th District: Yonkers Street Re-Naming Dedication For Rita Gross Nelson.

COUNCILMEMBER ANTHONY MERANTE AND THE YONKERS CITY  COUNCIL ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE HONORARY RE-NAMING OF HORATIO STREET TO RITA GROSS NELSON WAY.

 

In recognition of her life achievements, community service and dedication to the City of Yonkers, Councilmember Anthony Merante, Mayor Mike Spano and the Yonkers City Council will honorarily dedicate the portion of Horatio Street between Dunbar Street and Clement Street to Rita Gross Nelson Way. Rita was the “First Permanent African American Female Yonkers Police Officer, first Woman to walk "patrol"" in the State of New York in 1964.” This is only a few of her many accomplishments (see full bio below)

 

DATE:  Thursday, June 2, 2022

TIME:  1:30 pm

PLACE:  Horatio Street between Dunbar Street and Clement Street

ABOUT RITA GROSS NELSON

Rita Gross Nelson, born in 1937 in Harlem, was a Yonkers native who grew up on Bushey Avenue, attended Yonkers Public Schools, and graduated from Roosevelt High School as her father before her. She then joined the United States Air Force and honorably discharged in 1958. She attended Paul Quinn College, Waco Texas and Fordham University, N.Y.C.

 

Rita Gross Nelson joined the Yonkers Police Force as a Parking Enforcement Officer (Meter Maid) and was appointed the first Permanent African American Female Police Officer, and the first Woman to walk ""patrol"" in the State of New York in 1964.  After 23 years of service, she retired and became the first African American Director of Security for the Hudson River Museum.  After ten years, she again ""retired"", but shortly accepted a position at Columbia University where she trained Security Officers, as a Licensed State Security Officer Instructor.

 

For many of these years she also served as Private Security for VIP's such as Coretta Scott King, Shirley Chisolm, Robin Givens and Dorothy Irene Height.  In 2000, at the request of then Superintendent Joseph Farmer, Rita came out of retirement again, accepting a position in Yonkers Public Schools System as Court Liaison for at risk youths and State Trainer for School Safety Officers.  She also had the distinction of being the first female to hold these positions.

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Rita Gross Nelson was the first Female member of the Westchester and Rockland Guardians Assoc. and served as Secretary for 6 years. She was also a charter member of the National Council of Police Societies; and served as 1st  Vice President of Council of Police Societies.

 

Rita was a concerned citizen of Yonkers.  She served in, as well as supported, many local organizations, including: serving as Past Matron of Terrace City Chapter #26; Yonkers Prince Hall Order of Eastern Stars; Life Member of the Yonkers Branch NAACP; and Board Member of the Nepperhan Community Center, serving as Secretary until her illness and passing. Rita was a Life Member of Runyon Heights Improvement Association, the neighborhood she loved, lived in, and resided until her death in 2015.

 

FAMILY

Rita was the proud mother of 3 daughters; Carol Gross, Celleste Gilbert, and Maria George. She was an even prouder Grandmother of the late Miranda George, Nikhol George Yoshii, Keith and Kyle Gilbert, and blessed with a Son-in-Law Shige Yoshii and Great Grand-Daughter Luna Yoshii. Rita never met a child that she did not love and nurture as her own, claiming many young men and women as sons and daughters.

 

Rita used to say that she was second-generation Yonkers, gave birth to the third, and lived to see the fourth and fifth arrive. "I AM Yonkers, I'm not just passing through" was her motto with regard to her City.