Honoring and commending the American Women's Heritage Society on the occasion of their 15th Anniversary.

WHEREAS, The American Women’s Heritage Society was founded in 1986 to restore, maintain, and beautify historic Belmont Mansion, a true Philadelphia treasure; and

WHEREAS, The maintenance of Belmont Mansion is important due to its symbolism for the abolitionist movement and as a monument to the brave people of the nineteenth century who used the structure as part of the Underground Railroad; and

WHEREAS, The American Women’s Heritage Society is the only African-American Women’s organization to care for a historic mansion in the Fairmount Park System; and

WHEREAS, One of the goals of the Society is to allow Philadelphians the opportunity to experience fine arts; and

WHEREAS, The women of the Society have showcased numerous arts and historical exhibits, including the Chinese Art Exhibition, the Zora Neale Hurston Exhibit, the Frank Johnson Bicentennial Celebration, and Life in the Colonies for Black Freed Men and Women, that have added tremendous value to the cultural fabric of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Belmont Mansion hosts parties, weddings, cultural and civic group meetings, as well as tours, none of which would be possible if the American Women’s Heritage Society had not been diligent in their efforts to ensure that the Mansion was in proper condition to support these events; and

WHEREAS, Through the work and efforts of the American Women’s Heritage Society, Belmont Mansion is a piece of Philadelphia history that all Philadelphians can be proud of; now, therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor and commend the American Women’s Heritage Society on the occasion of their 15th Anniversary.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Audrey R. Johnson-Thornton, President of The American Women’s Heritage Society, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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