* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL
Introduced by: President Dixon
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL concerning
Title
In Remembrance - Enolia P. McMillan
FOR the purpose of celebrating the life of Enolia P. McMillan, who as a mother, wife, educator, and former president of the NAACP, was a relentless fighter for justice who dedicated her life to initiating the betterment of ours and to a lifelong crusade for equality for people of all races, creeds, and colors.
Body
Recitals
Enolia P. McMillan, was born in 1904 in Willow Grove, Pa., to John Pettigen, who was born a slave in Virginia, and Elizabeth Fortune Pettigen, a domestic worker. With a love of education in her heart she became a teacher in 1927. After finding her career path, Mrs. McMillan quickly found and worked to address many problems within the education system. She was not only an extraordinary teacher to her students, but was always willing to take the time to discuss the issues of past and present civil rights movements with them in and out of class.
Mrs. McMillan was the Branch President of the Baltimore City Chapter of the NAACP for 21 years, and the National President for 6 years. During her leadership she not only addressed local and national issues affecting minorities, she also attacked global issues, such as apartheid. During Mrs. McMillan's leadership, the Branch purchased its first building, and the NAACP National Headquarters was moved from New York to Baltimore in 1986. She helped to establish more Black banks within the Baltimore Metropolitan Area, and still managed to invest the majority of her time in the youth of Baltimore, to help insure the future of the NAACP.
Not only was Mrs. McMillan active in the regular activities of the NAACP, she was also a trailblazer in the field of educational rights for African Americans and other minorities in Maryland. She was adamant on her stance for the equal pay of African-American teachers throughout Maryland, as well as equal opportunities for African-American students in the classroom. Her contributions and dedication changed the lives of many, inside and away from the state of Maryland. In 1990, Mrs. McMillan was nominated and inducted into The Maryland Women's Hall of Fame. In 1991, she was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters at Loyola College.
Throughout her life and career, Enolia P. McMillan remained a pillar of leadership in the African American community as well as a teacher to all of those who were lucky enough to find themselves in her presence, or even learn from her experience. She was not only a educator, but a friend to all of those who came into contact with her. Her gentle spirit could be seen almost immediately, but not without knowing fully that she was a person who would always remain serious about those things that she felt were always going to be important. She showed her students as well as those around her the importance of pride, education, and justice. Mrs. McMillan's spirit will forever remain an inspiration to all, and her legacy will live on forever.
SECTION 1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body celebrates the life of Enolia P. McMillan, who as a mother, wife, educator, and former president of the NAACP, was a relentless fighter for justice who dedicated her life to initiating the betterment of ours, and the crusade of equality for people of all races, creeds, and colors.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Local and National Chapters of the NAACP, the Family of Enolia P. McMillan, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the Council.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this Resolution takes effect on the day after the date it is enacted.
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