Senate Resolution No. 324

BY: Senator KRUEGER

MOURNING the death of Carmel Berman Reingold,
prolific author of both fiction and non-fiction,
lifelong and passionate New Yorker, and strong,
independent woman and role model

WHEREAS, In keeping with this long-standing tradition, this
Legislative Body is proud to pay tribute to the memory of Carmel Berman
Reingold, a prolific author, and a strong, independent woman who passed
away on August 20, 2016 at the age of 87; and

WHEREAS, A lifelong and proud New Yorker Carmel Berman Reingold was
born on September 13, 1928 and lived in Washington Heights, raised by
her parents who had immigrated from Hungary; and

WHEREAS, Her family had limited means, however they introduced their
daughter to the priceless cultural opportunities only found in New York
City; and

WHEREAS, Carmel Berman Reingold was destined to be an author and by
the age of eight while attending PS 189 she was writing plays that were
being performed by the whole school; and

WHEREAS, Her love for writing continued in high school and college
where she wrote many short stories and became an active member of the
New York University-Washington Square College of Arts and Science
writing club; and

WHEREAS, She faced the extreme sexism of her youth to become a
literary success and creative author of more than 40 book titles and
many magazine articles, both fiction and non-fiction with some being
translated into foreign languages; and

WHEREAS, Her notable success working at Harper's Bazaar and Datebook
made her a role model during a time when it was particularly difficult
for women to be recognized for their craft in any given profession; and

WHEREAS, As her career progressed she moved from Greenwich Village
to Central Park South and kept a home in South Hampton; and

WHEREAS, As an energetic New Yorker she was a determined leader and
refused to be intimidated into moving by a new building owner and
maintained that avid sense of social justice in every aspect of her
life; and

WHEREAS, Carmel Berman Reingold had a close group of friends who
were established New York writers, including Hortense Calisher and her
husband, Curtis Harnak, and Leighla Whipper Ford and her daughter, Carol
Ione; and

WHEREAS, Harry Reingold was her beloved husband who died June 3,
2009 and was later recognized by the New York State Senate when Literacy
Partners named its Annual Volunteer Teacher's Award the Harry Reingold
Volunteer Teacher of the Year Award; and


WHEREAS, Carmel Berman Reingold built lifelong relationships, loving
her family and friends with passionate loyalty, and always worked
tirelessly to assist the network of family and friends, including her
first cousins, Vivian David Wantuch and Magda Zoss; and

WHEREAS, THE passing of Carmel Berman Reingold a strong, generous,
intelligent, powerhouse of a woman leaves a void for all who knew her
that cannot be filled; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
pay tribute to the memory of Carmel Berman Reingold, to celebrate her
life and to recognize her valuable contributions to her family, friends,
community and the City and State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Carmel Berman Reingold.