1.1A Senate resolution
1.2celebrating December 3, 2011, as Nothando Zulu Day.
1.3WHEREAS, Nothando Zulu was born into a sharecropper family in rural Franklin,
1.4Virginia, on December 3, 1944, the youngest of eight brothers and sisters; her father was a
1.5deacon in the church and her mother was on the Mother's Board, and because of a strong moral
1.6upbringing despite the prevailing economic disparity in which she was raised, Nothando was
1.7instilled with a unique courage and fortitude; and
1.8WHEREAS, Nothando was brought to the state of Minnesota at the tender age of 13 after
1.9the death of her mother in order to ensure that she would receive a quality education; she was a
1.10graduate of the former Marshall University High School, and continued her education pursuits
1.11commencing with St. Cloud State College; and
1.12WHEREAS, Nothando was one of the stalwart community leaders in her employment at
1.13Ruth Hawkins YWCA in Near North Minneapolis for over 20 years; and
1.14WHEREAS, Nothando is a founding member of Black Storytellers Alliance and has
1.15been its president since its inception, and has had leading acting roles in numerous theatrical
1.16productions including the Penumbra Theater; and
1.17WHEREAS, Nothando has honed her skills into achieving the status of Master Storyteller
1.18and performing in Ghana; Cape Town, South Africa; Jonesborough, Tennessee; The Smithsonian
1.19Museum in Washington, D.C.; and throughout the continental United States; and
1.20WHEREAS, Nothando has consistently and fervently applied her talents and skills to
1.21assisting young people in schools, community centers, religious institutions, and wherever she can
1.22to foster a sense of their own humanity and dignity while pursuing their educational goals; and
2.1WHEREAS, Nothando has worked tirelessly to involve community residents of Near
2.2North Minneapolis in particular to engage in urban farming activities as evidenced by the urban
2.3farms located at 12th and Morgan Avenues North and at 1600 Plymouth Avenue North; and
2.4WHEREAS, Nothando continues her own educational pursuits, having earned all the
2.5credits necessary for graduation from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus; and
2.6WHEREAS, Nothando continues to advocate on behalf of others who are simply honest,
2.7hardworking people whose voices may not be heard as they continue to struggle for quality
2.8educations, decent housing, and livable wages; and
2.9NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota
2.10that it henceforth recognizes December 3, 2011, as Nothando Zulu Day, in celebration and
2.11acknowledgment of the many contributions and sacrifices made by Minnesota's own world citizen
2.12to her fellow man and woman.
2.13BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
2.14enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
2.15Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to Nothando Zulu.