Senate Resolution No. 2298
BY: Senator HINCHEY
MOURNING the death of Minerva Solla, distinguished
citizen and devoted advocate for workers' rights and
social justice
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor the lives of individuals whose commitment to the people of the
State of New York has greatly enriched the communities they served; and
WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow that this Legislative Body
records the passing of Minerva Solla, a tireless advocate for working
people, who died on April 15, 2026, at the age of 75, surrounded by her
loving family; and
WHEREAS, Born on February 13, 1951, Minerva Solla devoted more than
five decades of her life to advancing justice, dignity, and human rights
for working families across New York State and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Minerva Solla's lifelong journey in labor activism began at
the age of 15 while working part-time at Bell Telephone, where a strike
by the Communications Workers of America awakened her to the
transformative power of organized labor; and
WHEREAS, Despite only having been on the job for a few weeks and
facing the threat of being fired, Minerva Solla organized her co-workers
to join the strikers and stand on the picket line; and
WHEREAS, A pioneering member and community organizer of the Young
Lords Party, she served as one of the first women in its Defense
Ministry, further demonstrating her lifelong commitment to justice,
equity, and community empowerment; and
WHEREAS, In 1972, while employed at Roosevelt Hospital, she helped
lead a historic 47-day strike that resulted in union representation
through 1199SEIU, a union within which she would go on to hold numerous
organizing roles, helping to build it into one of the most influential
in the nation while organizing workers across New York City and the
Hudson Valley; and
WHEREAS, Minerva believed in teaching her children the importance of
standing up for what you believe in and did this by fully involving all
three of them in the landmark campaign that would win union
representation for 500 workers at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in the
Bronx; and
WHEREAS, A proud Puerto Rican leader, she championed cultural pride
and social justice, founding the 1199 Latinos Unidos Committee to uplift
Latino voices within the labor movement and throughout the broader
community; and
WHEREAS, Her advocacy extended beyond labor, as she played a vital
role in cultural and humanitarian efforts, including coordinating
medical missions in Puerto Rico following the devastation of Hurricane
Maria; and
WHEREAS, About one month into retirement, Minerva Solla felt called
to continue her work and would go on to become Upstate Organizing
Director for special campaigns for the New York State Nurses
Association, where she would help lead an unprecedented campaign to
build a coalition in Ulster County to bring back 20 mental health and
detox beds to Kingston's HealthAlliance Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Minerva Solla remained steadfast in her mission to help
working people discover their own power in movements for dignity and
justice, leading political action campaigns and contributing to the
advancement of landmark legislation such as Paid Family Leave and the
Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act; and
WHEREAS, Minerva Solla was one of the founders of and would go on to
Chair the Red Carpet for Social Justice, a groundbreaking coalition that
continues to bring together women across labor unions, advocacy groups
and communities to work toward women's leadership, empowerment and
equity; and
WHEREAS Through her leadership, the annual Red Carpet for Social
Justice Event was created, bringing together community leaders,
advocates, and public officials in a powerful celebration of social
justice work and International Women's Day; and
WHEREAS, Her tireless advocacy and stewardship in the campaign to
have March 8 officially recognized in law as International Women's Day
would come to fruition in 2023 with the passage and signing of
legislation to officially commemorate the day in New York State; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her retirement, Minerva Solla continued to serve
with distinction as Chairperson of the Red Carpet for Social Justice
Women's Coalition, Executive Vice President of the Westchester Chapter
of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (AFL-CIO), Vice
President of the Retiree Division of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers
East, and as a political organizer with the New York State Nurses
Association; and
WHEREAS, Minerva Solla's unwavering dedication, leadership, and
compassion touched countless lives, and her legacy will continue to
inspire generations of advocates, organizers, and community leaders; and
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Minerva Solla, recognizing her remarkable
contributions to workers' rights, social justice, and community
empowerment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Minerva Solla.
