WHEREAS, Ms. VanStory was born on January 8, 1951, in Muscogee County in the city of Columbus, Georgia to parents Robert C. and Johnnie M.; and
WHEREAS, Raised in Philadelphia, Ms. VanStory graduated from Simon Gratz High School and pursued a career as a dental assistant; and
WHEREAS, Following a desire to help others and to seek justice, Ms. VanStory founded the Community Land Trust Corporation (CLTC) in 1984 to preserve open public green space and reverse adverse trends of rapidly deteriorating housing stock, eventually becoming a HUD-certified Community Housing Development Organization; and
WHEREAS, Ms. VanStory worked personally to advocate for environmental concerns, even living in one of the 23 special solar-powered homes on West Thompson Street, and overseeing CLTC’s upkeep of green space along Cabot Street between 15th and 16th Street for 25 years; and
WHEREAS, Her work at CLTC was dedicated to promoting and facilitating a more holistic approach to community revitalization, remaining a constant voice for the disenfranchised and a stabilizing presence in the community until her passing in 2021; and
WHEREAS, Ms. VanStory will be lovingly remembered by her family, including four sisters and a host of cherished nieces and nephews, for her strength, kindness and generosity
; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the 1500 block of West Cabot Street, from 15th Street to 16th Street, also be named “Vivian VanStory Way” to honor and commemorate the life of Vivian VanStory and her lasting impact on her North Philadelphia community.
End