(ROOSEVELT, N.Y.) - Nassau County Legislator Scott M. Davis (D – Rockville Centre) joined the community at Roosevelt High School on Wednesday, June 17 to celebrate the rededication of their tennis courts in honor of Roosevelt legend Dr. Emily Moore.
During more than six decades of leadership and advocacy, Dr. Moore has made her mark as an educator, longtime (and recently re-elected) Board of Education member, and civil rights activist. She was instrumental in desegregation efforts as a college student, served in the Peace Corps, taught thousands of students (including basketball legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving and actor/comedian Eddie Murphy) and launched the Alliance Junior Development Program Inc., a company dedicated to tennis instruction, athletic training, youth development, counseling, leadership training, sports consulting, event planning and community organizing.
The tennis court renaming marks the latest in a plethora of accolades for Dr. Moore. Tennis legend Arthur Ashe honored her with his Junior Tennis Development Award in 1988, and Dr. Moore received the Outstanding Citizen Contribution to Improve Education from the Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Honors.
In 2015, she was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from her alma mater, Morgan State University – and in 2021, she was inducted into the United States Tennis Association’s Eastern Hall of Fame. She also wrote a book of poetry called “Just Like it Is,” and was the subject of “My Journey: The Life and Times of Dr. Emily Moore,” a biography written by Ayanna Moore of Roosevelt. Earlier this year, Legislator Davis, alongside Alternate Minority Leader Debra Mulé, led the Democratic caucus in naming Dr. Moore as their Black History Month honoree.
“For all she has done to enrich the lives of children in the greater Roosevelt community during the last 65 years, Dr. Emily Moore has distinguished herself as a transformational leader,” Legislator Davis said. “Renaming Roosevelt High School’s tennis courts in her honor is truly fitting, as it is the place where she has imparted so many life lessons upon our youth and empowered them to live their best lives. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Moore on this richly deserved honor!”
PHOTO CREDITS – Office of Legislator Scott M. Davis