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An ordinance providing the honorary street name designation of "Mary Watson Way" for a portion of 12th Ave. N.
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WHEREAS, Mary Louise Watson was born on August 8, 1919 in Maury County, Tennessee. From an early age, she was an active member of her church; and
WHEREAS, she received a limited education in the Nashville Public School System, but later became a faithful advocate of education and fought to desegregate Nashville Public Schools beginning in 1957; and
WHEREAS, her family was one of the 11 of 126 eligible families who would integrate Nashville's schools. Her family received numerous threats, but Mrs. Watson was determined to provide her children with the best education possible; and
WHEREAS, in 1957, Mrs. Watson and her husband were honored as Nashville Pioneers Citizens, a certificate of appreciation awarded by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Mrs. Watson's contributions to Nashville's Civil Rights Movement have been chronicled in news articles and films. She was honored with the Freedom Sister Award by the Ford Motor Company in 2010; and
WHEREAS, before her death on December 10, 2018, Mrs. Watson was also active in the community as a volunteer with the Red Cross, Mother's March of Dimes, her neighborhood watch program, and also voter registration drives; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of Mrs. Watson's many contributions to Nashville, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council provide an honorary street name designation of "Mary Watson Way" for a portion of 12th Ave N; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 13.08 of the Metropolitan Code provides for the designation of honorary street names and signs without amending the Official Street and Alley Acceptance and Maintenance Map for The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, and without requiring residents and businesses to change their address.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That 12th A...
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