ELMIRA, NY (WENY) -- Wednesday, June 19th was a celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony to rename the Madison Avenue bridge in Elmira. The bridge will now be called the Allen-Berry Bridge, named after two local trailblazers A'Don Allen Sr. and Bessie Berry.

"My grandfather was the first African American to serve on the County Legislature. He was also the first African American to serve on Elmira City Council. He was a Second District Councilman, he worked with the D.A.R.E. Program and [to help] clean the area and ridding the drug issues of the 80s and 90s," said A'Don Allen III, Allen Sr.'s grandson.

Allen III said his grandfather didn't do it for the accolades, he did it to help make Elmira a better place.

"He was very much about civic engagement and he wanted people to know that they had a voice and to use [it]. That was really one of the big things I learned from him was making sure I used my voice... He didn't do things so he could get a bridge named after him, he did it because he felt like we needed to be in a better space, especially in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. [He] really changed the viability of the African American community in the second district here in Elmira," said Allen III.

Bessie Berry was born in 1931 and died in 2008. Berry was part of the Elmira City School Board in the mid-60s and was an appointed social worker and probation officer in Chemung County in 1967. She was also president of the Elmira/Corning NAACP Branch from 1985 to 1988.

Her son said when she decided to do something, she gave 110%.

"Her legacy was her life... Some say because of her efforts, the Elmira School District was the first school district in New York State that recognized Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday," said Theodore F. Berry III, Berry's son.

Berry III said his mother was a people person and was about constant self-improvement.

"She was very big on not only family relationships but also the relationships she formed personally. Her primary philosophy was always 'Do unto others as you would have others do unto you,'" said Berry III.

Berry III said his mother helped develop his character and who he is today.

"Even when I had difficulties in school, it was always 'You can do it, you can do it. You're just gonna have to apply yourself a little bit more.' Our mother was always consistent with us. The lessons that she taught us, we still live by to this day," said Berry III.

Elmira City Manager Michael Collins said the plaque will be placed on the south side of the Allen-Berry bridge.