The Biondi School to Honor Yonkers African-American Trailblazer Rita Gross Nelson on Feb. 27

Don Antonecchia, Superintendent of Leake and Watts (Leake & Watts) Services’ education programs, announced today that Rita Gross Nelson, the first female African-American police officer in the Yonkers Police Department and a tireless champion for children, will be posthumously inducted in the Biondi School Black History Wall of Fame on Friday, February 27, 2015. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at the Biondi School Auditorium on the Leake & Watts Yonkers campus. Ms. Gross Nelson’s daughter Maria George will accept the honor on behalf of her mother, who died on January 28th at the age of 77.

“Rita Gross Nelson, a pillar in the Yonkers community, supported and advocated for many many people, particularly children,” explained Mr. Antonecchia. “Her life will be an inspiration to new generations of our children, who walk by our Wall of Fame every day at school, and are reminded that everyone is capable of doing great things.”

At the February 27th ceremony, Ms. Nelson’s family will join Leake & Watts in celebrating her life. Featured speakers include Ms. George; Yonkers dignitaries have been invited to speak as well. In the spirit of Black History Month, there will be a student dance performance called “Breaking Chains,” as well as a dramatic presentation of the speeches of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Tyrese Jackson, a teacher at the Biondi School. At the conclusion of the program, Ms. George will unveil a portrait of Ms. Nelson, sketched by Biondi’s art faculty, which will hang on the Wall of Fame.

Ms. Nelson achieved many things in her life. She became Yonkers’ first African-American female police officer in 1964, and later became the first female to be promoted to the rank of detective. She became acutely aware of the unmet needs shared by many of Yonkers children from her assignments to the Community Affairs and Youth police divisions. After retiring in 1986, she became director of security at the Hudson River Museum, trained safety officers at Columbia University, and served as executive director of the Yonkers YMCA.

Protecting children was Ms. Nelson’s passion. She volunteered in Yonkers schools, and was hired by the Yonkers Board of Education as its first female court liaison. She worked with the judicial and school systems as an advocate for the interests of at-risk and incarcerated youth. In later years, she was a frequent visitor to the Woodfield Cottage secure detention facility operated by Leake & Watts, where youth awaiting court action are cared for in a structured, supportive environment that includes school, life skills training, and therapeutic services.

“She offered invaluable love and care for all [the youth of Woodfield Cottage],” said Lindsay Mitchell, principal of the school at Woodfield. “She will be missed.”

About the Biondi School

Leake & Watts’ Biondi School serves students K-12 whose ability to learn is affected by an emotional, cognitive, or other barrier. It is a fully accredited non-public school that provides year-round specialized education services. Since 2012, the Biondi School has commemorated Black History Month by honoring African-Americans of achievement who have made significant contributions to the community. Previous recipients include New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins; civil rights attorney Mayo Bartlett, co-founder of Safe Passage; and Biondi School Assistant Principal Al Grimes, a member of first African-American college relay team to win the National Invitational Two Mile Event.

About Leake & Watts

Founded as a Manhattan orphanage in 1831, Leake &Watts operates programs serving more than 8,000 children, adults, and families in The Bronx, Westchester County, Northern Manhattan, and Brooklyn. Programs include early childhood education, foster care and adoption, specialized education services, a home for teenage mothers in foster care, behavioral/mental health help, and juvenile justice services. Leake & Watts also operates residences for adults with intellectual disabilities and a Preventive Services program to stabilize at-risk families so children can remain in their parents’ care.

Leake and Watts Services, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Middle States Association, and the Better Business Bureau. The organization’s administrative offices are located in Yonkers. For more information, the public is invited to visit www.leakeandwatts.org, find it on Facebook www.facebook.com/leakeandwatts, and follow it on Twitter twitter.com/leakeandwatts.