A north Bronx matriarch was honored by the community she dedicated herself toward improving.
Councilman Andy King joined relatives and friends for a street co-naming ceremony honoring the late neighborhood icon Burmadine Hinds on Saturday, July 7.
The southwest corner of White Plains Road and East 228th Street was renamed ‘Ms. Burmadine Hinds Way’ in her memory.
“Today, we light another beacon in our neighborhood for a sister who’s done such wonderful work for the past decades,” stated Councilman King.
Hinds was born on August 1, 1939 in Valhalla, Westchester County, however her unwed mother could not keep her.
At eight-months-old, Hinds was adopted by Williamsbridge residents Thomas and Hattie Brown.
She lived with her foster parents at East 229th Street and attended school at P.S. 21, P.S. 103 and Evander Childs High School.
For two decades, Hinds worked in hospital accounting until moving on to the NYS Department of Labor.
She retired from the department as a supervisor in 2003, but devoted her time volunteering around her community.
The dedicated activist and civil rights advocate’s extensive resume included time as a NAACP Williamsbridge Branch board member; North Bronx National Council of Negro Women president; Harriet Tubman Humanitarian Achievement Awards Jubilee president; North Bronx National Council of Negro Women Child Development Center chairwoman and a member of the 47th Precinct Community Council, Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center, Black United Leadership of the Bronx, Women of Wonder Business and Professional Women’s Club, Association for the Study of African American Life and History and the No Child Left Behind Initiative.
“Burmadine was one of my best friends and she was very instrumental in helping the NAACP in every action that we took,” shared Julian McDavid, NAACP Williamsbridge Branch president.
Hinds established the Harambee Celebration, which honors the community’s elderly, and the Women In Communities WIC Program.
She spearheaded the Fund for the Future Campaign and created an unwed fathers support group.
Her community service included working with the Checkmates’ young women, marching to keep universal pre-k for local children, having food bundles sent to needy families, sponsoring health fairs, reading to school children and establishing a Summer Day Camp Program.
“Burmadine has proven to be a priceless asset to her community by taking advantage of every opportunity to foster growth in the north Bronx,” said Patricia Kerr, NBNCNW president.
Steadfast in her faith, Hinds served on United Christian Baptist Church’s board for many years until her death.
Hinds passed away on May 24, 2016 at 76-years-old.
“Mama, you were always here. You planted these seeds and look at how your garden has grown,” expressed her daughter Cheryle Hinds-Leslie.
