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Proclamations posthumously honoring Commander Gwen Elliott and Walt Harper upon the occasion of the Port Authority of Allegheny County 2017 Spirit of King Award Ceremony at The Kingsley Center on January 19, 2017.
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WHEREAS, as a 2017 recipient of a Spirit of King Award, presented by the Port Authority, along with the Kingsley Association, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New Pittsburgh Courier, Allegheny County Council does hereby honor the memory of Pittsburgh Police Commander Gwen Elliott; and
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn “Gwen” June Campbell Elliott was born on June 8, 1944 and raised in the City of Duquesne and West Mifflin; and
WHEREAS, Gwen Elliott was destined to be a champion for women and girls - entering the male-dominated military in 1964, serving five years in the U.S. Air Force, becoming one of the first African American female police officers for the City of Pittsburgh in 1976 and rising to become the first female sergeant, and eventually becoming the Department’s first African American female police commander in 1986; and
WHEREAS, as a law enforcement officer, Gwen Elliott frequently witnessed the struggles of young women and girls and was determined to start an organization that would help young women have a better quality of life - not just for themselves, but for their children and future generations to come. She achieved this dream in 2002 with the creation of Gwen’s Girls, an agency dedicated to empowering young women and girls through holistic, gender-specific programs, education and experiences; and
WHEREAS, Gwen Elliott served on more than 25 boards, participated in many community organizations, and received a number of honors and awards; and
WHEREAS, Gwen Elliott passed away on May 14, 2007 but her legacy continues to live on through Gwen’s Girls and the countless lives she touched both directly and indirectly;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Allegheny County Council does hereby join with the Port Authority, the Kinglsey Association, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New Pittsburgh Courier, to recognize and honor the lifetime of service and achievement of Pittsburgh Police Commander Gwen Elliott.
WHEREAS, as a 2017 recipient of a Spirit of King Award, presented by the Port Authority, along with the Kingsley Association, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New Pittsburgh Courier, Allegheny County Council does hereby honor the memory of legendary jazz pianist Walt Harper; and
WHEREAS, Walt Harper played trombone in the All-City band at Schenley High School and formed a quintet known as the “Swingin’ Five.” His ten-piece band traveled all over the Eastern and Midwestern United States playing with great jazz legends such as Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughn, George Shearing, and many more. Both a jazz pianist and composer, Mr. Harper is perhaps best known for his rendition of Satin Doll, written by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. He returned to Pittsburgh in order to share his jazz music with the city he loved; and
WHEREAS, Walt Harper played in several locations, including the legendary Crawford Grill and his own club, Walt Harper’s Jazz Attic, and his restaurant, Harper’s Jazz Club, throughout Pittsburgh introducing many to jazz music by bringing it out of smoke filled rooms and into mainstream nightlife. Mr. Harper helped to spread his love of jazz music across racial lines through the jazz festivals and workshops he held in Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, Walt Harper received the Mellon Jazz Community Award and the Harry Schwalb Excellence in the Arts Award in 2001 for his accomplishments as an artist and his contributions to the music industry. Mr. Harper recorded eight albums, four CD’s and performed numerous times on national and local television, with his PBS special, “Walt Harper at Fallingwater” receiving an Emmy nomination. Walt Harper remained an active performer until his passing on October 25, 2006;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Allegheny County Council does hereby join with the Port Authority, the Kinglsey Association, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New Pittsburgh Courier, to recognize and honor the lifetime of service and achievement of Walt Harper.