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Recognizing the Basil and Becky Educational Foundation for their work to honor and acknowledge African American women who served the country during World War II as “Rosie the Riveters,” and for their participation in the documentary film Invisible Warriors: African American Women in World War II.
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WHEREAS, Invisible Warriors: African American Women in World War II tells the story of African American “Rosie the Riveters”- the first African American women to work in industry and United States Government administrative service-and their battles against racism and gender discrimination in America and fascism abroad; and
WHEREAS, The African American “Rosie the Riveters” shown in Invisible Warriors: African American Women in World War II are: Alice Amaro, Bernice Bowman, Birdia Bush, Gwendolyn Faison, Willie Mae Govan, Dorothy I. Height, Susan King, Marian Reid, and Ruth Wilson; and
WHEREAS, The Basil and Becky Educational Foundation is sponsor of the Invisible Warriors project. The Foundation is part of the legacy of U.S. Navy Veteran, Basil Spaulding Jones and his sister, a World War II “Rosie,” Ethel “Becky” Cooke; and
WHEREAS, Gregory S. Cooke, the Founder and President of the Basil and Becky Educational Foundation, is dedicated to educating current and future generations through audio visual storytelling that illuminates the cultural and historical experiences and contributions of African Americans and peoples of African descent to human history and progress; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, that we hereby recognize the Basil and Becky Educational Foundation for its work to honor and acknowledge the 600,000 African American women who patriotically supported the United States of America and the Armed Forces during World War II, and for their participation in the documentary film Invisible Warriors: African American Women in World War II.
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