Assembly Resolution No. 2311
BY: M. of A. Gunther
HONORING Rose Isabel Baral Brown posthumously for
a lifetime of dedicated service to the field of
reproductive healthcare and rights
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Rose Isabel Baral Brown posthumously for a lifetime of dedicated service
to the field of reproductive healthcare and rights; and
WHEREAS, Rose Isabel Baral Brown grew up in the Bronx, New York, and
attended The High School of Music and Art in New York City before
attending Harpur College, now known as SUNY Binghamton, where she
graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1963; she later enrolled in the
Master of Social Work program at Adelphi University in the early 1970s;
and
WHEREAS, After earning her Master of Social Work degree, Rose Isabel
Baral Brown began her lifework in safeguarding women's rights,
particularly women's reproductive rights; she began this lifelong
journey with her serving as Executive Director of Planned Parenthood
Nassau County where she hired the affiliate's first director of
development, thereby greatly expanding the affiliate's financial
resources and its services while also creating a highly successful Teen
Education Program, the sponsor of an annual Teen Health Conference
attended by scores of young people, including pregnant teens, who
received the kind of education and support many could not get at home or
at school at a time when teen pregnancy rates in the area were
escalating; and
WHEREAS, Rose Isabel Baral Brown later became the Executive Director
of Planned Parenthood Suffolk County, a larger affiliate with a wider
reach, where she established the County's only outpatient, Comprehensive
Reproductive Health Care Center that included surgical abortions, and
which, for the first time in the county, provided abortions to women on
Medicaid who were living at or near the poverty level whose need for
abortion services had long been completely ignored; and
WHEREAS, Rose Isabel Baral Brown provided a regional and national
model for other Planned Parenthood affiliates by establishing exemplary
advocacy and education programs for young people, including garnering
national recognition for the creation of a Teen Theater; pioneering an
annual fundraising event on the East End of Suffolk County; and working
to address the emerging AIDS crisis, especially the special needs of
women and children; and
WHEREAS, In the mid-1990s, Rose became instrumental in the
years-long process of creating a strong new Planned Parenthood affiliate
in New York State--Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, the result of the
merger between Planned Parenthood of Suffolk County and Planned
Parenthood of Westchester and Rockland, which was certified by New York
State in 1997; and
WHEREAS, As Executive Vice President of the newly developed Planned
Parenthood Hudson Peconic from 1997-2001, Rose Isabel Baral Brown helped
steer this second-largest Planned Parenthood to success; her leadership
helped in providing a host of reproductive health services through a
network of 16 medical centers, creating a newly formed Planned
Parenthood Hudson Peconic Action Fund for statewide social welfare and
legislative issues that impact Planned Parenthood's patients as well as
Planned Parenthood's ability to provide care, as well as participation
in the initial university-led medical trial of medication abortion; and
WHEREAS, Rose Isabel Baral Brown helped to define, strengthen,
defend, and extend the reach of reproductive health services in New York
State and the nation; she has stood up countless time, in numerous
venues, many hostile, to advocate for women's reproductive rights and
for the support of Planned Parenthood in New York State and throughout
the country, and assumed leadership of critical bodies, such as the
Planned Parenthood National Executive Directors Council; and
WHEREAS, After retirement, Rose Isabel Baral Brown devoted herself
to helping guide Catskill area organizations, serving on the boards of
the local NPR affiliate and the local library, as well as spending time
with her beloved family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Rose Isabel Baral Brown died at the age of 80 on Wednesday,
June 7, 2023; infinite selflessness and benevolence will shine on
through her family's vivid and happy memories; her insight and strength
will forever serve as a beacon of love, light, and hope to the countless
lives she touched; and
WHEREAS, Her valued support system throughout her life had been her
husband, Lester Mattis; cherished daughter, Chloe; son-in-law, Hal
Friedlander; adored grandson, August; and the many friends, colleagues,
and associates who cherished Rose Isabel Baral Brown's wise counsel,
support, and love through the years, and rejoice in her many
achievements; and
WHEREAS, Her passion, courage, and unwavering commitment to justice
will continue to inspire the individuals with whom she worked for many
years to come; her legacy of boundless compassion and her inspirational
spirit are worthy of the highest praise from the citizens of this State
and Nation; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Rose Isabel Baral Brown leaves behind a legacy which will
long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory
to all she served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Rose Isabel Baral Brown posthumously for a lifetime of dedicated
service to the field of reproductive healthcare and rights; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Rose Isabel Baral Brown.
