Banks on street co-namings honoring Donna Joaquina Jones and Deidre Cheatham
Council Member Banks honors two women whose lives were defined by service: Donna Joaquina Jones, director of the Louis H. Pink Houses Community Center, and Deidre Cheatham, a council staff member and advocate for sexual assault survivors and public housing residents. Their families are in the balcony.
Thank you, Majority Leader, and thank you to the Speaker for her leadership as well.
Today we have the opportunity to honor the two incredible women whose lives were defined by service, compassion, and unwavering commitment to others, Donna Joaquina Jones and Deidre Cheatham.
I believe their families are on the balcony today.
Donna Joaquina Jones devoted her life to the Pink Houses Community Center as a director of the Louis H.
Pink Houses Community Center.
She created opportunities for young people, supported families, and became someone countless residents could depend on.
She believed every child deserved a chance to succeed, and she spent her entire life making sure that they had one.
Her legacy lives on through the generations of young people she encouraged and mentored and inspired.
Now, Deidre Cheatham shared the same heart for service, whether she was serving her
her New York City, serving in the New York City Council, or working with community organizations, or advocating for survivors of sexual assault, or helping families in need, Deidre always showed up for people.
She led with kindness, treated everyone with respect, and made a difference in both big and small ways.
So many people remembered not just what she accomplished, but how she made them feel.
I had the privilege of working alongside both Donna and Deidre, and I witnessed their commitment firsthand.
Whether they were raising awareness for autism, advocating for public housing residents, or helping advance initiatives that benefited the 42nd Council District,
they approached every task with compassion, professionalism, and a genuine desire to help others.
When you think about Donna and Deidre, one thing becomes clear.
They made their communities better simply by being a part of them.
They gave their time, their energy, and their hearts to helping others, and they left behind legacies that will continue to inspire us all.
Please wrap up.
Today, we prepared to permanently honor them through these street co-namings, and we are ensuring that their future generations will know their names and understand the lasting impact they made to our community.
Thank you.
Thank you, Councilmember.
Councilmember Epstein, followed by Brewer.