Hattie Carthan
Hattie Carthan | |
---|---|
Born | September 7, 1900 |
Died | April 22, 1984 | (aged 83)
Occupation | Community activist |
Years active | 1964–1984 |
Hattie Carthan (September 7, 1900 – April 22, 1984) was an American
Biography
Originally from
Carthan moved to the tree-lined block of Vernon Avenue between Tompkins Ave and Throop Ave in
Carthan founded the Bedford-Stuyvesant Beautification Committee in 1966.[4] As chairman of the organization, the Beautification Committee was awarded a grant in 1971 to teach youth about tree care and provide a stipend for summer work, known as the Neighborhood Tree Corps.[5][6] She oversaw over 100 block associations which planted over 1,500 trees including those of the ginkgo, sycamore, and honeylocust varieties. [2]
When a 40-foot Magnolia grandiflora tree that was thriving far north of its natural habitat, was threatened to be cut down for an apartment complex in 1968, Carthan spearheaded a campaign to save the tree. She raised the funds to construct a protective wall behind the tree to shield it from a planned parking lot and it was designated by City Landmarks Preservation Commission as a living landmark. The remaining brownstones intended to be torn down for the apartment complex were purchased in 1976 for $1,200 and became the Magnolia Tree Earth Center of Bedford- Stuyvesant Inc, an educational center.[2][7][5]
In 1975, she was honored by Parks Commissioner Edwin L. Weisl Jr. for distinguished service to the city of New York.[1]
Death and legacy
Carthan died on April 22, 1984, in Bedford-Stuyvesant.[7]
Hattie Carthan Community Garden Farm
In 1985, a vacant lot started to be revitalized into a community garden which eventually was renamed Hattie Carthan Garden in 1998 to honor and continue the work of Hattie Carthan.[6] In 2009, under Yonnette Fleming's leadership, the garden expanded to become the Hattie Carthan Community Garden Farm.[8]
References
- ^ a b Evans, Olive, "For a 'Tree Lady,' A City's 'Thank you'", "The New York Times", May 20, 1975
- ^ a b c d Ferretti, Fred, "Urban Conservation: A One-Woman Effort", "The New York Times," July 8, 1982
- ^ Carthan, Hattie, "Our Pleasure," Letter to "New York Amsterdam News," November 5, 1966
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
- ^ ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
- ^ a b "Historical Sign Listings : NYC Parks". www.nycgovparks.org. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
- ^ a b Rule, Sheila, "Hattie Carthan, 83, Proponent of Trees in Brooklyn, Is Dead", "The New York Times," April 28, 1984
- ^ "hattiecarthan-market | OUR HISTORY". hattiecarthan-market. Retrieved 2019-04-28.