FRIEDA ZAMES WAY NYC

Street Named for Disability Rights Leader

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Disabled in Action (DIA) advocates, family, friends and elected officials gathered at First Ave. and Fourth St. in Manhattan, May 2 for the dedication of Frieda Zames Way.

The street naming was the culmination of a four-year effort that saw DIA members canvassing the neighborhood, where Zames lived with her companion Michael Imperiale, for signatures on petitions to have the street named in honor of the disability rights advocate. The effort began shortly after Zames died in 2005

Letters of support poured in from school principals and the local residents association, as well as from elected officials including former Mayor David Dinkins, former Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger, former City Councilmember Margarita Lopez, City Council-member Gale Brewer (D-Dist. 6 Manhattan), State Sen. Tom Duane (D-Dist. 29, Manhattan), Councilmember Rosie Mendez (D-Dist. 2, Manhattan) and Assemblyperson Deborah Glick (Dist. 66, Manhattan). Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed the bill last fall.

Zames fought for disability rights, women’s right and civil rights in general and authored a book, “The Disability Right Movement” with her sister Doris Zames Fleischer. Through her advocacy, she became a nationally known and respected leader of the modern disability rights movement.

It is believed that it’s the first time a woman with a disability is being honored by the local community board, the City Council and the Mayor’s Office with a street naming.