June 14, 2021 By Ryan Songalia
A street in Corona has been co-named in honor of an Elmhurst Hospital worker and long-time community leader who died of COVID-19 during the height of the pandemic.
The intersection of 98th Place and 57th Avenue was co-named Priscilla Carrow Way on Friday, with Carrow’s friends, family and colleagues, plus elected officials, in attendance.
Carrow, a coordinating manager at the hospital, died on March 30, 2020 at age 65.
Her commitment to community went far beyond when she clocked out of work.
She was the president of the Sherwood Village Tenant Association, a member of Queens Community Board 4, chairperson of the National Council of Negro Women/Empress Life Members Guild, and secretary for the Better Community League, among many other commitments.
“Priscilla Carrow Way will be a symbol in our neighborhood memorializing a woman that impacted lives in more ways than one. At her core and at her best, Priscilla was an advocate, a champion, and a crusader, fighting for housing, fair wages and so much more for so many,” said Council Member Francisco Moya.
Her two children, son Tasheen Carrow Sr. and daughter Keyana Reaves, were honored to see their mother’s name on a street sign in their neighborhood.
“Having my mother’s name on a street is historic. She was a full-time mom, full-time activist and was so involved in the community—my mom deserves this,” Reaves said.
“To see Priscilla Carrow Way is just inspiring, it’s a reminder to keep going, to strive to be the best you can be, be a productive person in your community and care for people. It’s not about talking about it but being about it—and my mom was about it,” her son Tasheen Sr. said.
Priscilla Carrow is one of many NYC Health + Hospitals employees to be killed by COVID-19. She had worked at Elmhurst for 25 years and planned to retire the following year.
She was a member of the Communications Workers of America Local 1180 and NYSNA unions.
“Priscilla Carrow was a valued and treasured member of the Elmhurst family,” said Helen Arteaga Landaverde, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst.
Assembly Member Jeffrion Aubry and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards were also in attendance.