The corner of Castle Hill and Randall avenues was formally immortalized for one of the Bronx’s most active residents on Sunday, August 3.
That intersection is now Gerri Lamb Way, named for the decades long community activist and housing advocate that passed away at age 73 on Tuesday, July 31, 2018.
Lamb moved to Castle Hill from North Carolina in the 1960s, where she ran the Castle Hill Tenants Association and proceeded to work in the Bronx community as a volunteer on behalf of its residents, particularly children, seniors and the poor, through such venues as Pathways for Youth and the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club.
For many years, Lamb served as president of the North Bronx Council of NYCHA Tenants, and since its inception in 1991, she chaired the Citywide Council of Presidents, making her one of the more powerful women in New York’s public housing.
Lamb also served as Castle Hill Resident Association president for a score of years.
In 1983, she was able to bring the first ‘off-campus’ site of Touro College to the Castle Hill Community, and during the next four years, more than 20 community residents received their Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree. Lamb was also the driving force behind the ongoing renovation of Castle Hill’s community center and the Annual Castle Hill Community Day Celebration.
She was also responsible for the addition of a gym and bringing in employment, education, computer, literacy, and guidance programs.
Her passion for helping people later resulted in an appointment to Community Board 9.
While on the board, Lamb served on housing, zoning and land use, youth and other committees throughout her over 25-year tenure.
One of Lamb’s final acts for her beloved community was working as a legislative aide for Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz, Sr., for whom she had also worked for during his tenure in the Senate office.
Diaz celebrated the renaming with Lamb’s three children, George, Samantha, and Geri that Sunday.
“Gerri Lamb was a community leader, advocate, and outspoken leader for senior citizens, NYCHA residents, and the community as a whole,” he said.
She was also the recipient of many illustrious awards, including the New York State Minorities in Criminal Justice, Inc.; 2012 I.S. 131 Parents Association Award; 2007 New York State Housing Authority Queens Community Operations Women’s History Month; 2007 Bronx Christian Charismatic Prayer Fellowship Award; 2010 Women of Distinction Award; the Top 25 Bronx Most Influential Women.
