PRINTER'S NO. 3494
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
833
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY DeLUCA, KORTZ, DONATUCCI, MERSKI, KINSEY, BURNS,
READSHAW, HILL-EVANS, MILLARD, YOUNGBLOOD AND NEILSON,
MARCH 23, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, MARCH 23, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life of Barbara Elaine Smith and expressing
condolences upon her passing.
WHEREAS, Barbara Elaine Smith, known professionally as B.
Smith, was born August 24, 1949, in Everson, Pennsylvania, to a
father who was a steelworker and a mother who was a part-time
housekeeper; and
WHEREAS, B. Smith graduated from Southmoreland High School
and attended modeling school in Pittsburgh, starting her
illustrious career as a model; and
WHEREAS, In July 1976, at 26 years of age, B. Smith became
one of the first African-American women on the cover of
Mademoiselle magazine; and
WHEREAS, B. Smith's modeling career included gracing the
cover of 15 magazines and starring in multiple television and
radio advertisements; and
WHEREAS, B. Smith also served as a spokeswoman for well-known
companies and products, including Verizon, Colgate, Palmolive
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Oxy and McCormick's Lawry's seasonings products; and
WHEREAS, In addition to a successful modeling career, B.
Smith hosted the nationally syndicated cable television show, B.
Smith with Style, which debuted in 1997 and aired for nearly a
decade in more than 90% of American households and in 40
countries; and
WHEREAS, B. Smith was an accomplished restaurateur who opened
restaurants in Washington, DC, and Manhattan and Sag Harbor, New
York; and
WHEREAS, B. Smith was also a distinguished author who wrote
three home entertaining books, including "B. Smith's
Entertaining and Cooking for Friends," which was the first
tabletop entertainment and lifestyle book written by an African
American; and
WHEREAS, The "B. Smith with Style Home Collection," which
included bedding, tabletop and bath products, was the first line
from an African-American woman to be sold at a nationwide
retailer; and
WHEREAS, The National Museum of African American History and
Culture has displayed B. Smith's signature tagline of "Whatever
you do, do it with style!"; and
WHEREAS, B. Smith was a renowned nonprofessional chef and was
inducted into the American Chef Corps in 2012; and
WHEREAS, In 2013, at 64 years of age, B. Smith was diagnosed
with early-onset Alzheimer's disease; and
WHEREAS, Older African Americans are almost twice as likely
as older Caucasians to have Alzheimer's disease or another form
of dementia; and
WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of
death in the United States and approximately 280,000
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Pennsylvanians are living with Alzheimer's disease; and
WHEREAS, B. Smith soon went public with her diagnosis and
worked tirelessly to destigmatize and raise awareness of
Alzheimer's disease and its impact on the African-American
community; and
WHEREAS, That work included public appearances and writing
the book "Before I Forget," which is the story of B. Smith's
battle with Alzheimer's disease; and
WHEREAS, B. Smith lost her battle with Alzheimer's disease
and passed away on February 22, 2020, at 70 years of age; and
WHEREAS, The life and accomplishments of B. Smith are an
inspiration to many; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the life,
accomplishments and memory of Barbara Elaine Smith.
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