Assembly Resolution No. 924

BY: M. of A. Mayer

HONORING Maria Abdullah upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition at the 2nd
Annual Women's History Month Celebration on March
23, 2018

WHEREAS, Women's History Month, celebrated each year in March, is a
time to reflect upon and pay tribute to the women of our State and
Nation for their contributions to their communities and their
professions; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that women of
every economic, ethnic, and religious background have made significant
contributions to their community and to the State of New York, and it is
appropriate to recognize them and to publicly acknowledge their
endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Maria Abdullah upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition at the 2nd Annual Women's History Month Celebration to be
feted on Friday, March 23, 2018, at the Grinton I. Will Library in
Yonkers, New York; and

WHEREAS, Maria Abdullah has truly devoted herself to the welfare of
her community and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Maria Abdullah was born to Tariq Abdullah and the former
Tania Gautreaux in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; at the young age
of two, Maria and her parents emigrated to the United States; and

WHEREAS, By the age of three, Maria Abdullah could speak three
languages, English, Spanish, and Urdu; today, she continues to speak all
of them fluently, as well as read and write in Arabic; and

WHEREAS, Maria Abdullah spent her early childhood in the Bronx, New
York, where she was a member of Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club; as a
student at P.S. 105, she was actively involved in school and
district-wide competitions as well as student government; and

WHEREAS, After the family moved to Yonkers, New York, Maria Abdullah
was named valedictorian of Frank D. Whalen Middle School 135; she was
then accepted into the prestigious and specialized high school, The
Bronx High School of Science, where she explored her faith and beliefs;
upon graduating, she earned her bachelor's degree in business and
technology management from the Polytechnic Institute of NYU; and

WHEREAS, From 2007-2018, Maria Abdullah was employed with Bloomberg
L.P.; throughout her 11-year career, she served in various roles in
operations, finance and leadership; and

WHEREAS, In January of 2018, Maria Abdullah decided to make a change
in her life, and began working for The Office of the City Council

President, Mike Khader in the City of Yonkers, where she hopes to make a
difference in her community; and

WHEREAS, Maria Abduallah has dedicated most of her life towards
service and helping her fellow man and woman; she is actively involved
with The Juan B. Gautreaux foundation which assists thousands of
children in the Peralvillo/Yamasa area of the Dominican Republic; and

WHEREAS, In this role, Maria Abdullah has worked on initiatives for
education, global and maternal health as well as social and community
empowerment events for the organization; she and some friends were
instrumental in building a water well in Korangi Town, Pakistan,
bringing water to hundreds of villagers who walked for miles to obtain
this precious resource; and

WHEREAS, Maria Abdullah is also a mentor for American Corporate
Partners, advising veterans and military service members in their
transition into civilian life and the private sector; a special advisor
for "Wise Up -- Knowledge Ends Extremism"; a member of the Advisory
Board for the Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality
(WISE); and was a participant of the Leadership Council for the American
Muslim Women's Association (AMWA); and

WHEREAS, Maria Abdullah believes hate can only be overcome by
leading by example and doing the right thing, no matter how difficult it
may be; through her work as a co-leader of the Westchester 1 Chapter of
the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, she has been able to serve the
community by raising awareness of the commonalities between Judaism and
Islam as well as help remove stereotyping and prejudice which have long
subdued the relationship between both religions and cultures; she and
her fellow volunteers will be featured in the upcoming documentary
"Salaam Shalom - Muslim and Jewish Women Unite against Hate"; and

WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her three children, Ryan,
Aiden and Inaya, all 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 well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned our
recognition and applause; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Maria Abdullah upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition at the 2nd Annual Women's History Month Celebration on March
23, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Maria Abdullah.