June 7, 2023 |City of Lynn, From the Mayor, News

Lynn Recognition Committee announces individuals selected for recognition

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Mayor Jared C. Nicholson and the Lynn Recognition Working Group are pleased to put forward the names of three individuals selected for recognition due to their significant contributions to the City and residents of Lynn. Former Mayor Patrick McManus, and civil rights activists Mrs. Virginia Barton and Mr. Abner Darby, have all been chosen through a process facilitated by the Lynn Recognition Working Group, and an online community survey offered through the Daily Item and the City’s social media accounts and website.

The move to elevate the work and impact of McManus, Barton, and Darby started with a recommendation to the Mayor to name the Library after McManus. In an effort to develop a transparent, inclusive, and efficient process that engages the community in making these decisions, the Lynn Recognition Working Group was convened and comprised of a diverse group of people from the community. Members of this group include the City’s Arts and Culture Planner LaCrecia Thomson, Daily Item publisher Ted Grant, late Council Vice-President Buzzy Barton, the City’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Faustina Cuevas, North Shore Juneteenth President and Councilor At-Large Nicole McClain, Human Rights Commissioner Audrey Jimenez, and Harry MacCabe of Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development.

The next phase of this initiative will be to identify potential locations for naming opportunities. Any naming decision will likely need to go through other bodies for approval, but, in the meantime, we are excited about the opportunity to recognize and spotlight individuals who can continue to serve as role models for future generations.

HON. PATRICK J McManus
54th Mayor of Lynn

• City’s longest-consecutive-serving mayor, from 1992 to 2002.
• A trustee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, McManus served as chairman of the group’s Urban Water Council, which helped to shape national water policy.
• Member of Valladolid Council 70, Knights of Columbus; member of Ancient Order of Hibernians Div. 10, Lynn; and longtime member of the Gannon Golf Club.
• As a known education champion, he went to Washington on behalf of the Conference of Mayors to vote for a funding bill for Education.
• He also served as an active member of the Education Subcommittee.
  Led the building of a new Lynn Classical High School and the renovation of Lynn English High School.
• Traveled to Washington to help lobby for Friendship, the replica of a 19th-century merchant ship now docked at Derby Wharf in Salem.
• Candidate Information for Profiles
• Stood beside President Bill Clinton on the south lawn of the White House, watching proudly as Lynn Police officers, hired with federal community policing dollars, were sworn into office. Salvaged community policing bill at the conference of Mayors in Chicago.
• Only person to ever be an Agganis Foundation scholarship winner, an Agganis Football All-Star, and Agganis trustee.
• Instrumental in launching the Lynn Business Partnership, which is currently in its 31st year.
  Responsible for the building of a new police station.

Virginia Barton
Civil Rights Activist

• Mrs. Barton was a member of the first board of directors, the president, treasurer and co- executive director of the Community Minority Cultural Center and president of the Lynn branch of the NAACP.
• Created workforce development programs/classes at CMCC to enhance employability skills for community members. Held classes to educate Lynners, particularly people of color on municipal public safety exam to make it workforce more diverse. Co-facilitated workshops for people of color to encourage board development and participation.
• As a member of NAACP, exposed racial bias in Lynn housing and worked to change housing practices.
• Mrs. Barton played a leading role in the city by providing minority-based educational and cultural opportunities as well as English as a second language (ESL), citizenship courses, and job training at the CMCC.
• Candidate Information for Profiles
• Advocated for literacy programs such as the federal Title I program to ensure equitable educational outcomes for historically disenfranchised students. She also worked for the Title I program. She also served as co-chairwoman of Citizens Against Racism and as member of the Greater Lynn Racial Harmony Committee.
• She received numerous awards, including the Jim Mountain Award from the Massachusetts Department of Education, Outstanding Achievement Award from the Florence Luscomb Women’s Center at Salem State College, Clara Barton Humanitarian Award from the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay, Distinguished Service Award from the Yankee Clipper Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Sallie Hacker Award from the Lynn Museum and Historical Society.

ABnER DARBY
Civil Rights ActiviST

• In 1972, Abner Darby and Ed Battle spearheaded the acquisition of the Community Minority Cultural Center (CMCC). Mr. Darby was the Executive Director for over 25 years.
• Created workforce development programs and classes at the CMCC open everyone in the community.
• Held classes to educate Lynners, particularly people of color on municipal public safety exam to make it workforce more diverse. Participated in the annual Lynn Youth Parade, a parade to celebrate youth-serving agencies and elevate youth voice.
• Started the Community Cultural Federal Credit Union in basement of the CMCC. Many college students secured their first loans for textbooks at this credit union.
• He was appointed by Mayor Tom Marino to the Lynn Housing Board of Directors.
• Candidate Information for Profiles
• Mr. Darby was a leader in the fight against discrimination and racial injustice locally and nationally.
• He was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and was President of the North Shore Branch, NAACP from 1961-1969 and President of the New England Area Conference of Branches, NAACP, from 1978-1989. Started the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast in the city of Lynn which still continues today.
• He led local marches and sit-ins to protest racial discrimination. He also participated in the March on Washington.
• His efforts contributed to the City of Lynn hiring its first minority firefighters and increasing the number of minorities on the police force.

The above press release & information was submitted to us by Mayor Nicholson’s office.