Senate Resolution No. 419
BY: Senator PARKER
HONORING Soh Young Lee-Segredo upon the occasion
of her designation for special recognition at the
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visionary Awards Gala on
March 9, 2025
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend individuals whose leadership, advocacy, and artistic
contributions have enriched communities, fostered cultural
understanding, and advanced the principles of diversity, equity, and
inclusion; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Soh Young Lee-Segredo upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visionary Awards Gala, to
be held on Sunday, March 9, 2025, in celebration of Women's History
Month under the theme "Women of Destiny"; and
WHEREAS, Born in Seoul, South Korea, and having lived in Paraguay,
Brazil, and Spain, Soh Young Lee-Segredo has dedicated her life to
bridging cultures, advocating for diversity, and using the arts as a
vehicle for social change; and
WHEREAS, From an early age, she demonstrated a strong commitment to
leadership and activism, serving as Vice President of the Red Cross
Youth Middle School Division in Seoul, where she developed an
understanding of global citizenship and humanitarian service; and
WHEREAS, A multi-faceted artist, educator, and cultural ambassador,
Soh Young Lee-Segredo has devoted herself to empowering diverse
communities through music, storytelling, education, and advocacy,
holding leadership roles as past director of the Multicultural Peace
Mission Choir, president of the Korea American Association of Queens,
and president of the Multicultural Council of NY; and
WHEREAS, As an advisor for the Gaia Essence Women's Wellness
Conference and president of the Asian Pacific American Council of
Educators (APACE), Soh Young Lee-Segredo actively amplifies Asian
voices, supports Asian teachers and parents, and promotes educational
equity; and
WHEREAS, A distinguished performer, Soh Young Lee-Segredo has woven
together cultural traditions through music, leading her ensemble, The
Soh Young Ensemble, to debut at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, and
earning the KBS Korean Idol NY Competition award in 2007; and
WHEREAS, Soh Young Lee-Segredo has been instrumental in Hofstra
University's Annual Celebration of Diversity Gala, serving as Music
Coordinator since its inception, as well as a dedicated education coach
for the Jackson IB PYP School in the Hempstead Union Free School
District; and
WHEREAS, During the COVID-19 pandemic, she brought communities
together through virtual concerts and online cultural cooking classes
for the Queens Public Library, and in collaboration with the Long Island
Council of Churches, she delivered food and essential resources to
families in need; and
WHEREAS, Soh Young Lee-Segredo's commitment to education and
multicultural awareness has been widely recognized, earning her
prestigious honors, including the Nassau County MLK Award, NAACP Harlem
Chapter Award, Hofstra University Celebration of Diversity Honoree
(2013), Legislator Kevin Thomas Women's Award (2023), and the National
Association for Multicultural Education (NAME) Equity, Social Justice
Advocacy Award at the 25th Anniversary New Orleans Conference in 2015;
and
WHEREAS, A dedicated educator, Soh Young Lee-Segredo was honored as
the New York State Association of Bilingual Education (NYSABE) Bilingual
Teacher of the Year in 2023, making history as the first Asian educator
to receive this award in 45 years; and
WHEREAS, Soh Young Lee-Segredo's advocacy has extended to
international platforms, including presenting "Cross the Border" stories
at the 66th UN DPI/NGO Conference in Korea, representing multicultural
educators at the National Endowment for Humanities in Alabama, and
participating in global education initiatives in Israel, Turkey, and
Korea; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong advocate for library literacy and education, Soh
Young Lee-Segredo has dedicated over 35 years of service to the Queens
and Long Island libraries, promoting cultural literacy, historical
awareness, and the preservation of diverse narratives; and
WHEREAS, Her remarkable achievements have been recognized by civic
and governmental leaders, including being awarded the NYC Citizenship
Award by former Councilman John Liu and the Certificate of Appreciation
from the Queens Public Library for her exceptional contributions to the
New Americans Program; and
WHEREAS, Soh Young Lee-Segredo has devoted her life to cultural
diplomacy, education, and advocacy, using music, storytelling, and
activism to foster understanding, unity, and inclusion among diverse
communities; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Soh Young Lee-Segredo upon the occasion of her designation for
special recognition at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visionary Awards
Gala, commending her for her extraordinary contributions to the arts,
education, and multicultural advocacy; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Soh Young Lee-Segredo.
