FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2014
Contect: Scott Salotto (845) 638-5645

FIVE NEW MEMBERS INDUCTED INTO CIVIL,
HUMAN RIGHTS HALL OF FAME

NEW CITY, NY ‐‐ County Executive Ed Day and Commissioner of Human Rights S. Ram Nagubandi today announced that five individuals have been inducted into the Civil and Human Rights Hall of Fame during the 11th Annual Civil Rights Hall of Fame luncheon in Nyack.

“Each of the honorees have made significant contributions to the advancement of equality, diversity, human rights and civil rights in Rockland County,” said County Executive Day. “Going forward, I vow to grow an atmosphere of cooperation and dialogue among local residents, neighborhood coalitions, religious groups, civic and business leaders.”

The 2013 Rockland County Civil and Human Rights Hall of Fame honorees are:

Gloria and Arnold Botwinick – Advocates for people with disabilities, Gloria and Arnold Botwinick have fought to ensure that these individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Through their efforts, residents can use TRIPS bus service and individuals in group‐homes can enjoy recreational programs and other services.

Albert Holland, Jr. (posthumously) – A WWII veteran who fought to end segregation in the military, Holland was one of the founding members of the African American Historical Society in Rockland County and the Rockland Housing Action Coalition. He was also an active member of the Nyack NAACP.

Dr. Oscar P. Cohen – An advocate for children facing barriers of disability, poverty and race, Dr. Cohen was chairman of the Nyack NAACP Education Committee and helped bring the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights to Nyack to take on civil rights violations in schools. He then became education chairman of the Spring Valley NAACP to protect the civil rights of the children in the East Ramapo schools.

Wylene Branton Wood – As president of the African American Historical Society of Rockland County, Wood has developed several programs for young people throughout the County to educate them about segregation and discrimination and inspire them to help make our community a better place for all.

“Thanks to the tremendous efforts of our inductees, Rocklanders can proudly say they are part of one of the most diverse counties in the state,” said