Portion of St. Paul street to honor Katie McWatt

April 29, 2010 at 1:42AM

KATIE MCWATT, CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE AND ST. PAUL AVENUE

Some St. Paul street signs will soon bear the name of recently deceased civil rights and social justice advocate Katie McWatt to honor her legacy.

The City Council approved a resolution Tuesday honoring her and calling for the portion of Dayton Avenue between Lexington Avenue and Dale Street to be co-named "Katie McWatt Avenue."

Council member Melvin Carter III sponsored the resolution.

McWatt's son, Tim McWatt, thanked the City Council and said his mom didn't do things for glory. "She just loved people," he said.

She was involved with the Urban League, NAACP, the Council on Black Minnesotans and Central High School, among others. She fought for affordable housing, equal employment opportunities and quality of life issues, and she volunteered countless hours.

McWatt died April 19 of lung cancer. She was 79.

CHRIS HAVENS

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