Harrisburg City Council legislative session on Tuesday
Two Harrisburg roadways will receive secondary names honoring the legacy of former Harrisburg activists.
City Council, at a meeting on Tuesday, voted to recognize a portion of N. 6th Street as Rev. Billy Gray Way and a section of Harris Street as Judith C. Hill Way.
“I always love to hear the history of our community and the players that made it happen,” said council member Dave Madsen at last week’s work session. “It’s important to celebrate our history.”
Both corridors will keep their original street names, but a small sign will be added under the current street signs designating the honorary names.
N. 6th Street, from Forrest to Woodbine streets, will now receive a secondary name, Rev. Billy Gray Way. Gray, born in 1929, was a water safety instructor at the Camp Curtin YMCA, a Golden Glove boxing champion, a Harrisburg historian, an activist during the Civil Rights Movement and a pastor. Gray died in 2013.
Additionally, the 600-block of Harris Street will be recognized as Judith C. Hill Way. Hill was born in Harrisburg in 1928. She was a student in the Harrisburg School District and later a teacher in the district. Hill was also a lifelong member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and, most notably, became the first Black woman to serve on Harrisburg City Council. Hill died in 2014.
“Several members of council are literally standing on the foundation that Miss Hill has set for us as the first Black woman to serve as a member of this legislative body,” council President Danielle Bowers said. “Representation matters.”
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