Senate Resolution No. 1945

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

HONORING The Reverend Sharon E. Codner-Walker upon
the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Sojourner Truth Award by The Brooklyn Club of the
National Association of Negro Business and
Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. on April 29, 2017

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to
recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of
society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the
basic humanity among us all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor The Reverend
Sharon E. Codner-Walker upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the Sojourner Truth Award by The Brooklyn Club of the
National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs,
Inc., to be celebrated at its 50th Annual Founders' Day Observance
Luncheon on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at Gargiulos Restaurant in
Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, The theme for this auspicious occasion is entitled "72
Years of L.E.T.S. - Leaders Exemplary Timeless Service; Marching forward
with a purpose"; each year, The Brooklyn Club acknowledges its Founders;
"the shoulders on which we stand and the role and responsibility we have
to prepare our young people for the future"; and

WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Club is a chapter of the National Association
of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. (NANBPWC, Inc.),
which provides opportunities for women to increase their leadership
skills, experience governance and parliamentary procedures, and enhance
their educational awareness of issues impacting the black community
through volunteerism; and

WHEREAS, Each year, the Sojourner Truth Award recognizes an
outstanding African American Woman, who best exemplifies the ideals of
the Club's Matriarch, Sojourner Truth; Reverend Sharon E. Codner-Walker
is truly deserving of this prestigious award; and

WHEREAS, A native of Jamaica, West Indies, Reverend Sharon
Codner-Walker grew up in Brooklyn, New York; as an inspiring spiritual
leader, she tirelessly serves as an advocate for those with a diminished
voice, as friend to the friendless, counselor to the broken, battered,
discarded and the lost; and

WHEREAS, In 1987, Reverend Sharon Codner-Walker realized that she
had been called to serve people, whether in churches, hospitals,
shelters, soup kitchens or on street corners; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Sharon Codner-Walker's Christian education and
ministerial leadership was cultivated at both the Baptist Church of the
Redeemer, and at the New Cornerstone Christian Church in Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Sharon Codner-Walker attended local public schools
in Brooklyn; after graduation, she earned her bachelor's degree in Human
Services and Professional Studies with concentrations in Counseling and
Psychology; and

WHEREAS, She continued her education by obtaining her master's
degree in Education and a Master of Divinity degree from Union
Theological Seminary where she graduated with honors and was bestowed
The Maxwell Fellowship Award for Excellence in ministry; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Sharon Codner-Walker began her distinguished
career as a Clinical Hospital Chaplain at Brookdale Hospital, New York
Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center, and at the Hospital
for Special Surgery In New York City; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her many years of ministry and community
services, Reverend Sharon Codner-Walker has served in numerous
leadership roles including Counselor and Director of HIV/AIDS Education
Programs for "At Risk Teens"; Coordinator for "The Fishes and Loaves
Ministry", an outreach ministry meeting the physical and spiritual needs
of individuals and families in Brooklyn and in Harlem, now serving
hundreds of families one night a week; Youth and Adolescence Pastor at
new churches; Deacon and Coordinator of Battered Women's Ministries;
Bereavement and Grief Counselor for lay and professional persons; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Reverend Sharon Codner-Walker has always been
available to help those people dealing with loss and tragedy; as a
Debriefing Trauma Specialist, she counseled individuals who had been
deeply impacted by the horrific events which occurred on September 11,
2001; and

WHEREAS, In January 2010, immediately following the tragic
earthquake in Haiti, Reverend Sharon Codner-Walker spearheaded SUNY
Downstate Medical Center's Spiritual Care Community Outreach and support
to the Haitian community with assistance through the office of the
Bishop affiliated with some of Brooklyn's largest Roman Catholic
Churches; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Sharon Codner-Walker's outreach and supportive
counseling services included providing spiritual and emotional care, and
crisis debriefing at local Catholic churches, on street corners, the
Caton Market Place, Barbershops, Subway stations and in the Chapel at
Downstate Medical Center; she also memorialized parents and children of
the medical and professional staff as well as the community at large to
assist them with closure; and

WHEREAS, Currently, Reverend Sharon Codner-Walker is a vital member
of the Northeastern Regional Committees/Commission on the Ministry,
where she serves as a Pastoral caregiver and mentor for seminarians and
those in "Watch Care" discerning their call to ministry; and

WHEREAS, This extraordinary woman also holds the position of Senior
Pastor of the United Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Brooklyn,
and the Clinical Board Certified Chaplain, Director of the Departments
of Pastoral/Spiritual Care and Volunteer Services at SUNY Downstate
Medical Center-University Hospital of Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, For her stellar leadership, unremitting compassion, and
unwavering stance for justice for all, Reverend Sharon Codner-Walker has
been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including the
Valiant Woman Award by the Church Women United in Brooklyn, Inc.; The
Outstanding Clergy Service Award; the Brooklyn's Woman of Valor; the
Service Excellence Award; and the SUNY Downstate Extraordinary Woman and
Employee Recognition Award; she was also named a "Hero for Haiti"; and

WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband of 20 years,
Donald Walker; and their daughter, Leah, both of whom have shown her
love and support and rejoice in her many achievements; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor The Reverend Sharon E. Codner-Walker upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Sojourner Truth Award by The Brooklyn
Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional
Women's Clubs, Inc.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Reverend Sharon E. Codner-Walker.