Memorial Sought For Yardley's Black Mayor

YARDLEY BOROUGH, PA — The executive director of the Gather Place will pitch a proposal to honor the borough's black mayor on Tuesday night.

Shirley Lee Corsey will present to the Yardley Borough Council for its meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Yardley Borough Hall, 56 South Main Street, her proposal dubbed "Every journey begins with the first step."

Corsey is campaigning for a memorial at The Pavilion at Buttonwood Park to pay tribute to the lasting legacy of Edward R. Robinson, who became Yardley's — and Pennsylvania's — first elected African American mayor.

Elected in 1977, Robinson served the borough for 12 years.

"After receiving heartfelt and constructive feedback from members of the Yardley Borough community, I am honored to present this Gather Place campaign proposal to Borough Council," Corsey said. "Your thoughtful input helped reshape this proposal, which seeks to honor Mayor Robinson’s remarkable legacy by creating a permanent tribute at one of Yardley Borough’s most beloved locations."

She said the lasting reminder will commemorate an important milestone and celebrate Mayor Robinson as a history maker, a distinguished lifelong resident of Yardley, and an important part of both the borough's and Pennsylvania’s history.

"His legacy should never be forgotten, overlooked, or marginalized. It deserves to be remembered, honored, and shared with generations to come," Corsey said.