The West Haven Black Heritage Committee has chosen former 5th District City Councilwoman Robbin Watt Hamilton as the first recipient of the Ernestine Jackson Citizen of Distinction Award. This honor replaces the previously named African-American Citizen of the Year and honors the life Jackson, who was a charter member of the Black Heritage Committee in 1996. Ernestine Jackson died last April at the age of 96.
Hamilton was raised in Allingtown. She is the middle child of Eva Watt and the late RIchard Watt. She was elected to represent the 5th District by the West Haven City Council in 2016, following the death of her brother Brent Watt, who was first elected to the seat in 2011. During her tenure on the Council, Hamilton was chosen by her colleagues to serve as Majority Leader.
“Robbin Watt Hamilton is an obvious choice.” said Committee President Steven R. Mullins. “She has given so much of herself for the benefit of all West Haven residents from every walk of life.” he said.
A financial clearance specialist by profession, Hamilton has been employed by Yale New Haven Hospital for past forty-five years. She is a communicant of the former Living Word Ministries, now Vertical Church, where she is active in many of the church’s outreach programs, such as the Dream Center. She also serves on the Connecticut Mission of Mercy Free Dental Foundation and the West Haven Black Heritage Committee.
The award will be presented on Thursday, February 29th at 11:00 in the Harriet C. North Meeting Room, second floor of West Haven City Hall. Also during the ceremony several high school students will receive Achievement Awards from the Committee. A reception will follow at the lower level of City Hall.
For more information, please call Mullins at (203) 824-4262.