Senate Resolution No. 1295

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Blue Carreker upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Jim Perry
Progressive Leadership Award by Capital District
Citizen Action on September 14, 2021

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals 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 Blue
Carreker upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Jim
Perry Progressive Leadership Award by Capital District Citizen Action to
be celebrated at its 29th Annual Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, September
14, 2021, at The Linda, WAMC's Performing Arts Studio, Albany, New York;
and

WHEREAS, The Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Award honors the
legacy of Jim Perry, a gay rights leader and founding member of the
Capital District Chapter of Citizen Action of New York; his leadership
role both in the Capital District and statewide was exemplary, and his
dedication to politics and coalition building paved the way for the
passage of Albany's Human Rights Ordinance; and

WHEREAS, It is with the memories of Jim Perry's actions and words
that this vital organization recognizes those who have demonstrated a
commitment to community activism and leadership; and

WHEREAS, Blue Carreker is being honored with this auspicious award
for her role as one of the area's most dedicated, inspiring activists
and leaders who has spent countless hours working to make her community
a stronger, more just place to live; and

WHEREAS, Blue Carreker grew up in Schenectady, then spent about 20
years away in other parts of the country and the world making music and
getting her politics right before returning in 1987 to raise her two
sons, Rory and Sean O'Bien, in Scotia, while working as an advocate and
communications specialist for non-profit agencies; and

WHEREAS, Many Capital Region residents grew to know Blue Carreker in
her years with Planned Parenthood; she worked for both Planned
Parenthoods that serve this area for almost 20 years, with
responsibilities ranging from Fund Development and Marketing, to
Opposition Monitoring and Patient Escort Training, and eventually Vice
President of Public Relations and Public Affairs; and

WHEREAS, Blue Carreker protected patients who tried to break through
picketers to access health care; and


WHEREAS, She also showed up in solidarity at lobby days and picket
lines, and formed and facilitated a range of important coalitions, such
as the Capital Region HIV/AIDS Prevention Network; and

WHEREAS, In all her efforts, Blue Carreker has worked to develop an
intersectional feminist approach to every campaign, emphasizing the
necessity of seeing the work through the eyes and experiences of those
most impacted, and emphasizing the long-range goals of economic, racial
and gender justice; and

WHEREAS, In 2013, the Capital Region NYCLU presented Blue Carreker
with the Carol S. Knox Award for her work spearheading the Women's
Equality Agenda Coalition in the Capital Region; and

WHEREAS, Citizen Action of New York hired Blue Carreker in 2014 to
be a Statewide Manager for Worker and Gender Justice; in the seven years
she was on staff, she continued to build and manage local and statewide
coalition campaigns; and

WHEREAS, Most notable was her work as Upstate Campaign Manager for
the New York Campaign for Paid Family Leave, when she helped organize
and engage six regional coalitions; built a statewide database of
supporters; and conducted an extensive survey of small business owners
in the Hudson Valley, helping to build the momentum necessary to win
this important benefit for all workers in New York State; and

WHEREAS, Her subsequent work to form and lead the Albany County Paid
Sick Days Campaign was instrumental in also winning statewide sick day
benefits for most New York workers; and

WHEREAS, Blue Carreker retired from Citizen Action in late 2020, but
is doing consulting work for the Empire State Campaign for Childcare;
and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Blue Carreker has displayed
throughout her life; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Blue Carreker upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Award by Capital District Citizen
Action; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Blue Carreker.