City honors legacy of disability rights advocate Margot Ndike Cross

The Minneapolis City Council held a meeting to honor the life and legacy of Margot Ndike Cross, a prominent advocate for disability rights who recently passed away. Councilmember Jenkins led the recognition, highlighting Cross's extensive contributions to the community over her decades-long career.

Cross served on various city commissions, including the Civil Rights Commission for eleven years and the Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities for over twenty years. Her work at the Minnesota Council on Disability spanned more than thirty years, where she provided crucial accessibility support to businesses throughout the city. Notably, she played a significant role in key projects such as the renovations of the Target Center, Target Field, and U.S. Bank Stadium, among others.

Deputy Director Nick Ngo expressed gratitude for Cross's efforts in making Minneapolis a more inclusive city, emphasizing her ability to educate and guide planners and developers in creating accessible spaces for all individuals, regardless of their abilities. Joan Wilshire, a long-term member of the Advisory Committee, shared personal anecdotes about their collaboration, particularly in ensuring accessibility in public facilities and venues.

The council's resolution not only honors Cross's legacy but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing work needed to improve accessibility in Minneapolis. Councilmembers acknowledged that while significant progress has been made, there remains much to be done to ensure that all public spaces are welcoming and accessible to everyone.