On Jan. 29, 1976, Eleanor Russell was honored at Syracuse’s Civic Center by the Syracuse Jaycettes.

Just 24 years old, she was given the group’s annual “Distinguished Service Award” and named its “Outstanding Young Woman of the Year.”

Despite her young age, her accomplishments filled nearly half of an entire newspaper column.

Russell helped found the area’s first Community Arts School at Syracuse’s Dunbar Center in her early teens. At 15, she was made a member of Mayor William Walsh’s advisory council and helped set up Y.E.S. (Youth Employment Summer) program.

As a student at Nottingham High School, Russell was one of the founders of “Soul Generation,” an organization of students who used dance and acting to teach Black pride. She also developed projects for the Girl Scouts, YWCA and G

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