Senate Resolution No. 4757

BY: Senator RIVERA

CELEBRATING the life of Sister Charlotte Terrell
Sapp, distinguished citizen, religious leader and
devoted member of her community

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full
recognition and just tribute to those men and women of religious
commitment who accept the responsibility of moral leadership and render
the wisdom of human understanding; and

WHEREAS, Sister Charlotte Terrell Sapp died on Tuesday, January 9,
2018, at the age of 50; and

WHEREAS, A resident of New York City, Charlotte Terrell Sapp
graduated from Martin Luther King, Jr. High School; she was an active
member of Creston Avenue Baptist Church of Christ in the Bronx, where
she served in various ministries, such as the choir and the usher board;
and

WHEREAS, In 2011, Sister Charlotte Terrell Sapp assumed the position
of Community Liaison and Outreach Coordinator for Pastor Marcia E.
Stanley until her transition; throughout her tenure, she organized
Creston Avenue Baptist Church of Christ's Annual Community Day Block
Party/Street Fair, attended various community meetings and events, and
served as the contact between the 46th Precinct Community Council,
Community Board 5, and several elected officials within the
Fordham-Burnside and University Heights communities; and

WHEREAS, As the Church's Outreach Evangelism Ministry leader, Sister
Charlotte Terrell Sapp and her team also ministered to residents of
local community nursing homes, shelters and neighboring street corners;
in 2016, Charlotte worked as an Outreach Specialist for ACMH; and

WHEREAS, Sister Charlotte Terrell Sapp began serving as Clergy
Liaison to Assemblyman Victor Pichardo in 2017; in this capacity, she
was the liaison between Assemblyman Pichardo and the neighboring
churches and mosques; and

WHEREAS, From this union, the 2017 Bronx Job Fair was organized in
partnership with Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Assemblyman Pichardo, and the
New York State Department of Labor where 40+ businesses met at the
Creston Avenue Baptist Church accepting resumes from potential
employees; and

WHEREAS, Sister Charlotte Terrell Sapp was also instrumental in
establishing the community International Day of Peace: "March for Peace
Not Violence", where clergy members, Muslims, local businesses,
community residents and organizations united for a worthy cause; and

WHEREAS, In addition, this remarkable woman was the founder of Women
In Progress, a non-profit organization which services women who were
previously incarcerated; in early January of 2018, Sister Charlotte
Terrell Sapp began her new job with the Jewish Board; and

WHEREAS, A kind, caring and gentle woman, Sister Charlotte Terrell
Sapp never hesitated to stand up for what she believed and proudly spoke
her mind; she loved the Lord, her family and her community; and

WHEREAS, Sister Charlotte Terrell Sapp brought to her ministry an
overwhelming spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and
enlightenment in conducting her administrative and spiritual duties,
while always displaying the highest standards of personal and
professional integrity and dedication; and

WHEREAS, This distinguished woman of God always gave guidance and
wisdom to the many entrusted to her care and administered abundantly and
unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of all; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Sister Charlotte Terrell Sapp leaves behind a legacy which
will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting
memory to all she served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life of Sister Charlotte Terrell Sapp, distinguished
citizen, religious leader and devoted member of her community, and to
express its deepest condolences to her family, colleagues and friends
who mourn her passing; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Sister Charlotte Terrell Sapp.