NEW ROCHELLE, NY (October 8, 2026) — The New Rochelle Board of Education is scheduled to approve a resolution Thursday naming its meeting chambers at 515 North Avenue in honor of Pearl C. Quarles, a pioneering public official who became the first African American president of the New Rochelle Board of Education and the first African American woman elected to the Westchester County Board of Legislators.
Resolution No. 27-176, included on the consent agenda for the Oct. 8 Board of Education meeting, would permanently designate the meeting space as the “Pearl C. Quarles Board Chambers” in recognition of her historic leadership, distinguished public service and lifelong commitment to the New Rochelle community.
Quarles, a 1949 graduate of New Rochelle High School, served on the Board of Education from 1971 through 1980. During her tenure, she broke racial barriers by becoming the first African American to serve as board president.
Her public service extended beyond the school district. Quarles became the first African American woman to serve on the Westchester County Board of Legislators and the first African American woman to serve as vice chair of that body.
Quarles was also active in numerous civic and community organizations, including the New Rochelle branch of the NAACP, where she was a longtime executive committee member and life member. Her involvement included the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, the League of Women Voters and Sister to Sister International.
Her professional accomplishments included becoming the first African American woman to hold a white-collar position in Westchester County’s banking industry. She was also the first woman to chair the Board of Trustees of Shiloh Baptist Church in New Rochelle.
The resolution recognizes Quarles as a mentor, advocate and community leader whose work in education, civil rights and civic participation had a lasting impact on New Rochelle and Westchester County.
Under the resolution, the district would install appropriate signage and a commemorative plaque recognizing her service and contributions. The district would also schedule a formal dedication ceremony at a future date, inviting members of the Quarles family, current and former school board members, district representatives, community leaders, students, alumni and residents.
A copy of the resolution would be presented to the Quarles family as an expression of the board’s gratitude for her public service.
The resolution states that the naming would take effect immediately upon approval. The agenda document does not establish that the board has voted on the measure.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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