Proclamation Recognizing Dr. Carol Weyland Conner’s humanitarian contributions to the City of Richmond and the County of Contra Costa
WHEREAS, in 2013, Dr. Carol Weyland Conner founded White Pony Express, the volunteer-powered nonprofit which delivers fresh, surplus food gathered from supermarkets and restaurants to the hungry throughout the county; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Conner believed, “There is a simple solution that can end the problems of hunger and marginalization for good—a new paradigm: voluntary shared abundance. In this model of life, responsibility for helping the family of man is assumed by everyone, or in the phrase White Pony Express uses, ‘all of us taking care of all of us!’”; and
WHEREAS, Over the last 10 years, White Pony Express has delivered millions of fresh, healthy meals and tens of thousands of clothing items to Richmond service organizations who have distributed these items to Richmond residents; and
WHEREAS, White Pony Express provides fresh groceries and nutritious meals to Richmond students at Coronado Elementary, Ford Elementary, Golden Gate Community School, and Verde Elementary; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Conner founded the nonprofit Following Francis, which has staged festive outdoor “fairies”, musical plays, and other activities for nearly 15,000 children throughout the nation, including the children of Richmond, California. Following Francis nurtures kindness, courage, and self-worth in children.
Following Francis has distributed new clothing, groceries, holiday gift baskets, and envelopes of cash to families in Richmond; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Conner was the spiritual director of Sufism Reoriented, an American spiritual school founded by Meher Baba that honors all spiritual traditions and the essential unity of all life; and
WHEREAS, During the pandemic, volunteers of White Pony Express and Following Francis participated in a project initiated by Dr. Conner which involved distributing cash gifts of $1,200 to Richmond residents, identified by Richmond community organizations as being in dire need. All told, approximately $1 million was allotted to individuals across the nation who were severely impacted by COVID.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Richmond on June 27, 2023, hereby recognizes the impact of Dr. Conner’s contributions and humanitarian efforts to serve under-resourced communities in Contra Costa County, specifically in Richmond.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we are deeply grateful for her compassionate heart, dedicated work, diligent hands, and exceptional leadership. Her legacy will live on through her nonprofits which serve food, clothing, and beautify our neighborhoods throughout the country.
_________________________________ ____________________________________ Eduardo Martinez, Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, Vice Mayor