Photo Courtesy of Kevin Coughlin/Office of the Governor; Renderings Courtesy of the Office of the Governor
Family, friends, and colleagues of the Woodhaven legend beam with pride.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Woodhaven elected officials and civic leaders recently joined the family and friends of long-time activist and advocate Maria Thomson for a street co-naming ceremony.
Earlier this year, City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) sponsored a bill to co-name the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and Forest Parkway after Thomson, the executive director of the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation and the Woodhaven Business Improvement District who worked tirelessly for the past 40 years to promote and protect the interests of the mom-and-pop shops along Jamaica Avenue.
Thomson died in January.
“Maria Thomson was the embodiment of community service and was the staunchest advocate for Woodhaven. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to work with Maria know that she had a heart of gold. Maria dedicated decades of her life to the betterment of the community—and the borough of Queens,” Ulrich said. “Every time someone walks past Maria Thomson Way, they will be reminded of her legacy, which will live on forever.”
