Meet the 2018 Patron Saints of Yonkers

The Friends of Philipse Manor Hall celebrate the contributions of two local “saints” who have contributed to the Yonkers community and who embody the spirt of patron saints that have been honored by the FPMH. Joanne Robinson-Boettcher and Roberta Robinson Frazier were this year’s recipients of the FPMH 2018 “Patron Saints of Yonkers” award May 10, and they packed the house for the recognition and discussion that followed – so much so that Sound Associates had to set up additional monitors and seating for the overflow crowd.

Joanne and Roberta, who are sisters, had friends and family fly in from California for the evening. They wanted to be sure to be there to honor this pair, who have served the community as educators, activists and tireless volunteers.

Joanne Robinson-Boettcher was a New York City schoolteacher, worked in public relations at General Foods, and was an independent image consultant on industrial television projects. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Peace Action New York State and is a member of the Black Women’s Political Caucus of Westchester and the Yonkers branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and has served on numerous boards.

Roberta Robinson Frazier taught elementary school in NYC public schools for 35 years and served as a legislative aide to Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow. She currently serves on the Community Advisory Board of Rockland Community Mental Health Center – Yonkers, Inc., and is co-ward leader of the Third Ward of the Yonkers Democratic Party. Roberta is a member of the Black Women’s Political Caucus of Westchester, WESPAC, and the Yonkers branch of the NAACP.

And like her sister, Roberta has served on too many boards to mention.

The Patron Saints celebration also included a special colloquium, “Col. William Boyce Thompson and His Quest to End World Hunger,” given by FPMH Board President and noted local historian Angelique Piwinski.