House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, in partnership with the New York State Office of General Services, on Wednesday marked the rededication of the Shirley A. Chisholm State Office Building in a commemoration ceremony that observed the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late congresswoman on Nov. 30, 1924.
The rededication honored Chisholm's trailblazing legacy and connection to the community, Congressman Jeffries said in a press release.
The renovations included exterior facade repairs, updated lettering, new decals in the elevator lobby and a renovated atrium. A plaque to commemorate the rededication will be installed at a later date.
Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, represented much of the same area in Brooklyn now served by Jeffries.
“When you look at the building, look at the lobby, look at the exterior, look at the lettering and look at the atrium that’s been renovated, you can see that this building will continue to be a tremendous living testament to what Shirley Chisholm has done and what she has represented," said Jeffries.
The building, at 55 Hanson Pl., was renamed in 2009 after Chisholm, following the passage of Assembly Bill A5365, led by then-Assemblyman Jeffries and State Senator Velmanette Montgomery. The effort also served to protect the property from being sold to developers. Jeffries said elected community leaders working from the building will offer services including housing assistance, educational assistance and benefit assistance.
“I am proud to celebrate what would have been her 100th birthday with the rededication of the Shirley Chisholm State Office Building, where countless public servants honor her legacy by coming to work every day on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers. Thank you, Leader Jeffries, for your continued leadership in honoring Shirley Chisholm and standing up for our communities in Washington," said New York Attorney General Letitia James.
