Constance “Connie” Renee Wilson Collins (1928-2013) was an African American woman who made a tremendous contribution to the Greater New Britain community.  Mrs. Collins, who was born in Harlem, moved to New Britain as a teenager.  Over her lifetime she was dedicated to helping people reach their full potential by creating vehicles for empowerment.  Her efforts to help others were evidenced through her work in the political, spiritual, fraternal, and non-profit world.  She held a high standard of community responsibility as she was not a talker, but a doer.  Mrs. Collins coined the phrase “You are your brothers’ keeper”, and lived by example every day of her life.

Leaving high school to work, Mrs. Collins always knew the importance of education, setting goals, completing them, and never taking your eye off the prize.  She focused on her education and earned her GED in the city of New Britain.  Mrs. Collins’ sights were not small as she continued her education.  As an adult with a family, she attended Tunxis College, Skidmore College‘s University Without Walls, and earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Harvard University.  Mrs. Collins became the first female and first African American union president of the United Electrical Workers of America Local 207 of Landers, Frary, and Clark, which was later purchased by General Electric.  She also worked for the John Driscoll United Labor Agency for many years.  Mrs. Collins was a tri-founder of the Opportunities Industrial Center (OIC) of New Britain.  She served as an alderwoman on the New Britain Common Council and the City Planning Commission.  Mrs. Collins was a founding member of the McCullough Temple CME Church, known today as Grace Church.

Mrs. Collins is an exemplary role model for the youth who participate in the Queen Ann Nzinga Center, Inc. programs.  In March 2014, the Queen Ann Nzinga Center, Inc., renamed their annual Exceptional Women Concert in celebration of women’s history month in honor of Mrs. Constance “Connie” Renee Wilson Collins.