Brooklyn Councilman Jumaane D. Williams on Saturday, Oct. 17 was joined by State Assemblyman N. Nick Perry, Catherine McAuley High School alumni and more than 100 community members during a ceremony to co-name East 37th Street and Foster Avenue in Brooklyn “Catherine McAuley High School Way.”
The school, which closed in 2013, was an all-girls’ private Catholic high school in East Flatbush that was founded by the Brooklyn Sisters of Mercy in 1942.
It remains the only all-girls Catholic high school in Brooklyn or Queens to have earned the Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education.
“Catherine McAuley High School was a beacon in the East Flatbush community for decades, known for its academic excellence and positive community impact,” said Williams, deputy leader and chair of the City Council’s Housing and Buildings Committee.
“Named after Mother Catherine Elizabeth McAuley who exemplified public service, the all-girls’ Catholic high school was designated a Nationally Recognized School of Excellence – the first and only in my district,” he added.
“Though it closed in 2013, I am proud that it will forever live on by co-naming East 37th Street and Foster Avenue ‘Catherine McAuley High School Way,’” Williams continued.
On Aug. 10, 2015, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law Intro. 849, a piece of legislation that Williams co-sponsored, co-naming East 37th Street and Foster Avenue “Catherine McAuley High School Way.”
During Saturday’s ceremony, Williams thanked the following community members and alumni for pushing this initiative, many of whom were present during the street-co-naming ceremony: Lee Burnett, transportation chair of Community Board 17; Coral Barnett, Community Board 17 staff member; Josephine Valente; Jewel Brown; Melba P. Brown; Sister Margaret Dempsey; June George; Peggy Lake; Sister Rosemary Maguire; Carol McIntosh M.D.; Chantal Antoine; Renee Hastick Motes; Camille Hastick Ortiz; Xamayla Rose-Persadi; Sharon Rose; Mary Helen Taylor; Sister Mary Ann Noonan; and Imani Hastick.
“I am grateful to Council Member Williams for this tribute to CMCA; it makes me feel proud to be an alumna,” said Xamayla Rose-Persadi, Class of 1998.
“CMCA prepared all girls for the rigors of college and allowed us to realize our God given potential early in life-that is laudable,” she added. “Even though the school closed, I’m relieved that the Alumnae Association will continue this tradition of helping Brooklyn girls afford a quality education. That’s the McAuleyan way.”
“To me, this event is a marker to remember always a special school, a special time in our lives, to see what and where we are today because of that experience, and to resolve to continue on our journey, proud, empowered, and confident to have been among the 9010 women who have walked ‘Catherine MCAuley High School Way,’” said Chantal Paret Antoine, Class of 1975.
“The street co-naming is a great gift to all McAuley Alumnae,” said Lauren O’Brien, Class of 1977. “The announcement about the Catherine McAuley Alumnae Association and the plan to give scholarships to young women brought even more joy and excitement to a wonderful day. Thanks to all who made it happen!”
