Lea Webb as featured in O Magazine

In the past five years, large cities like Philadelphia and New York City have provided their citizens with access to local grocery markets by encouraging companies to either build a new store or to improve their current operations. As a September New York Times article reminds us, a neighborhood grocery store brings a host of benefits to the area. Economic gains include employment, tax revenue, an increase to the area’s land value, and the preservation of economic vitality to surrounding businesses and venues. The residents also obtain access to fresh food and produce that local convenience stores and pharmacy stores like CVS cannot provide. The promotion of healthful eating habits has become a national goal with the alarming rise in childhood obesity–with the White House leading the charge by starting its own organic garden and using seasonal and local products. Another benefit is, of course, ease of access. More and more groceries stores are closing in urban areas where minorities and lower-income residents call home, and such developments only increase the economic and social isolation.

Not to be left behind by the programs of big cities like Philadelphia and New York City and following the lead of the Obama White House, Binghamton can boast a similar success. Thanks to Binghamton City Council Member and Citizen Action Community Organizer, Lea Webb, Binghamton residents of the Pearne Street neighborhood, located on the city’s North Side, are the ecstatic beneficiaries of a new community garden and grocery store.

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Now, the process that lead to the revitalization of Pearne Street has not been without difficult travails. Case to point, it has taken more than 3 years. Lea, though, is being properly recognized for her devotion and perseverance. O Magazine recently featured Lea and her fight for Pearne Street in their November issue. Lea came to be featured because her work was supported by the O-White House Leadership Project, which picked 80 winners out of more than 3000 entrants. The honorees, all women, participated in a 3-day conference that brought their projects to the attention of already successful and powerful women leaders.

Lea’s winning streak did not just end there. She is also the recipient of USAction’s Tenth Anniversary Progressive Leadership Award on October 6 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.  USAction, with which Citizen Action is affiliated, conferred the award to those who have moved the nation closer to comprehensive health care reform.

Here are some pictures from Lea’s celebration party in Binghamton: