Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith led the charge to honor the late Gladys McCoy by putting forward a resolution to honor the former chairwoman.
"I'm honored to put forth this resolution to ensure the memory of and contributions made by former Multnomah County Chair Gladys McCoy,” Commissioner Smith said. "Gladys McCoy should continue to be recognized by today's and future generations as an inspirational figure, both as a trailblazing civil rights leader of the African American community, and a distinguished public servant who worked tirelessly to improve the health, wellbeing, and lives of all Oregonians."
The resolutions ensures that McCoy’s name will remain on the county Health Department’s new headquarters that is in the planning stages now.
Below are the remarks that Commissioner Smith delivered before the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve on Thursday, Feb. 25:
“It’s an honor to be able to present this resolution to the Board to retain the name of the Health Department Headquarters after former Chair Gladys McCoy, whose distinguished public service tenure included serving as the first African American on the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners and Portland School Board.
“It seems fitting to bring this forth in the month of February; we were here last week re-proclaiming Black History Month and Future. And moving into the future, it’s important for us to make sure future generations know about who came before and helped blaze the path for African Americans and everyone else — I say everyone because African History is everyone’s, American history. And Chair McCoy was no exception, as someone who worked to improve the lives of all community members, from families to children to the County’s most vulnerable.
“I have found her an inspiration personally as an African American inspired to commit to public service; and I credit her among the many others before her with much of what we are able to now accomplish.
“I want to recognize the family and community members who have joined us today, including Chair McCoy’s family — for example, Byrdie McCoy, Gladys’ granddaughter I know is in the audience — and I know we are all in the same fan club, recognizing Gladys McCoy.”