On Sunday, September 11th, Mrs. Louise Mitchell, unquestionably the oldest BronxWorks program participant, celebrated her 107th birthday. Born in Sparta, Georgia in 1904, Mrs. Mitchell has been a River Park Towers resident since the complex opened in 1974. BronxWorks has run a senior services office there since 2006.
Mrs. Mitchell, who lived on Kelly Street in the Bronx and in Central Harlem before moving to River Park Towers, was honored by BronxWorks and the River Park Towers Tenants Association in 2009. Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson were among those who personally offered birthday greetings.
A member of the Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Harlem since 1962, Mrs. Mitchell continues to attend Sunday services with regularity. She is an inspiration for members of the congregation, who consider her to be a quiet leader who gets things done.
Mrs. Mitchell is also held in high regard by her neighbors at River Park Towers. She cared for many of the complex’s longstanding residents when they were children. “She is a source of great wisdom and we love her madly,” says Leon Johnson, the president of the River Park Towers Tenants Association.
“Mrs. Mitchell embodies the best in life everyday, but especially on a day when so many reflect on the terrible tragedies that took place ten years ago,” says Felicia Thomas, the BronxWorks program coordinator at River Park Towers. “We can’t forget what happened, but Mrs. Mitchell is a testimony to the power of perseverance.”
Happy birthday, Queen Mother Louise Mitchell!
Mrs. Mitchell gets birthday greetings from Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson, and BronxWorks executive director Carolyn McLaughlin.
Mrs. Mitchell cuts the ribbon at the 2006 opening of our River Park Towers senior services office. With her (from left to right), then Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene (now the Deputy Bronx Borough President); Leon Johnson and Marguerite Janey of the RPT Tenants Association; BronxWorks executive director Carolyn McLaughlin; and Nick Harvey of RY Management Co.
