Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival

Issue 16

T his year's Black History theme according to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History is dedicated to

exploring African American Women's roles in and contributions to the making of America.

As we celebrate the 16th year of the Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival we salute the contributions of "16 Women of Baltimore County in History and Culture"

In American Culture today, many know the accomplishments of few prominent figures. From Donna Edwards, the first African American women to represent Maryland in Congress, to Vashiti Murphy McKenzie, who broke the glass ceiling in the AME church, to Juanita Jackson Mitchell ,the unyielding opponent of Civil Rights. From Jada Pinkett

Smith to Nicole Ari Parker to Anna Deavere Smith, they have distinguished themselves in American Letters, and in recent years they have been recognized as outstanding actresses, a winner of the Image Award, Tony Award and a nomination for a Pulitzer Prize.

Their labor and leadership, their motherhood, their intellect and artistic expression have all enriched both the African American community, the Baltimore County community and the nation at large. Their struggles have been at the heart of the human experience, and their triumphs over racism and sexism are a testimonial to our common human spirit. African American Women have been the core of organized black life, but here their striving have often escaped the gaze of the public and hence their history is

too little known. To gain an understanding of the history of African American women is to broaden our understanding of a people and the American nation.

We were not able to document all of the African American history of Black Women of Baltimore County. There are many who are not mentioned, but these individuals continue to contribute to years of Baltimore County's Culture and History

Cynthia T. DeJesus, Committee Chair

16 Black Women of Baltimore County 16 Black Women of Baltimore County 16 Black Women of Baltimore County

in History & Culturein History & Culturein History & Culture

Inside this issue:

Messages 2

Scholarships 6

Cover Story

16 Black Women of Baltimore

County in History and Culture

10

Veterans -

Segregated Military

22

Entertainment 31

Vendors 32

Sponsors and Ads 34

Special points of interest:

Health & Wellness Screenings

Children’s Champion Zone

Zumba Fitness Class

Baltimore County’s Got Talent

Baltimore County Idol

Workshops

Restrooms - 111 Chesapeake Ave.

Issue 16 Saturday, September 15, 2012

“Honoring Several African American Veterans from Baltimore County Who

Fought in the Segregated Military

Issue 16


2012 Scholarship Recipients

Baltimore County Public Schools

has the Scholarship Application

available in the Guidance Office

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Michele Abson Darryl Bass Angie Bazemore

Rona Bowden Candice Coleman Hazel Diggs

Shirley Diggs Stacey Fowkles Malik Green

Quintin Handy Tanya Harris Lyle Hart

Gary Massey Kirby Riles Dwayne Sherrod

Darrin Williams

OFFICERS

Dave Green, President

Karen Outlaw, Vice President

Shirron Scott, Treasurer

FOUNDER

Delegate Adrienne A. Jones

Speaker Pro Tem

Maryland House of Delegates

BOARD MEMBERS

Cynthia T. deJesus

Louis Diggs

Lenwood Johnson

Danyell Smith

Charles Young

Board of Directors 2012

Issue 16

“The ideal diverse community comprised of people of many different racial and ethnic backgrounds, but just as

importantly, people hailing from a multitude of

different economic situations”

Hassan James II

2012 Scholarship Recipients

Issue 16

GOALS of the Festival Annual scholarships designed to support interest in business, science, and the arts. The business community, as well

as local colleges and universities, will participate. Students will be required to have good academic credentials, as well as be significantly involved in their communities. Students will be selected from Baltimore County Public Schools by a panel that consists of Association board members, educators, and representatives from the business community. No student will be denied access to the process because of race, sex or religion. Children of board members, however, will not be eligible;

Historical preservation funds to preserve the many historical treasures in Baltimore County’s African American community. African American residents of Baltimore County must take an active role in the conservation of the forty (40) historic African American communities in the county, many of which predate the Civil War. The funds will be used to restore buildings; excavate historic sites; publish books, pamphlets and other written material about the history of the communities; and present exhibits and forums to share this history with the general public. Local historians, residents and interested volunteers will participate in this project. A panel that consists of Association board members, local historians, and members of the business community will identify projects selected for funding; and

A summer camp – Funds from the Festival are utilized to sponsor a Summer Camp for Baltimore County students. These funds help to provide supplies, materials, snacks and various day trips. The Board also approves requests to sponsor kids at specific camps that they might not otherwise be able to afford.

The EVENT

T his festival is a unique event for this area. Among its highlights is the Historic Settlement Exhibit. This exhibit chronicles the lives of

the descendants of Baltimore County’s African American residents. There are some forty historic African American settlements in Baltimore County.

The Historic Settlements Exhibit is the largest single exhibit, and each year, it draws the largest number of visitors. The exhibit includes hundreds of old photos and memorabilia, as well as oral presentations by members of some of the communities who tell about life in those communities when they were vibrant and filled with black families. There is also a bus tour of some of the neighborhoods. We believe this is a compelling story made more so by the presence of a unit of the Buffalo Soldiers.

Each year hundreds of visitors, especially children, walk through the Buffalo Soldiers exhibit and are enthralled

by stories of the exploits of this heroic group of African Americans. Funds from sponsors help cover the costs of mounting the photo exhibits and providing buses for the tour. The photo exhibit also travels to other venues so that the history of Baltimore County’s black families can be shared with people from all walks of life .

Other highlights of the festival are the artists and crafts people who exhibit and sell their goods. A number of small minority- and women-owned businesses are also invited to showcase their goods and services. Food vendors provide festival goers with a variety of ethnic cuisine. A children’s area with games, contests, storytelling and entertainers is another popular attraction. Since its inception, the festival has featured national Emmy award-winners and well-known local musicians who thrill the crowd. Chuck Brown, Chubb Rock, Regina Belle, Pieces of a Dream, Peabo Bryson, Ashford & Simpson, Jeffrey Osborne, Vickie Winans, Stephanie Mills, The O’Jays, Yolanda Adams, Chubby Checker,

the Chi-lites, Dazz Band, Howard Hewitt and Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes are just a few of the national entertainers who have played the festival. Not to mention a list of performers that include some local high school bands. Funds remaining after expenses will go to fund some of the other charitable activities the festival board has deemed worthy of support, such as the Northeast Towson Summer Day Camp.

For the past three years, the festival has provided funds for this neighborhood camp that runs for five (5) weeks. Campers, ages 5 through 12, participate in a variety of activities such as swimming, bowling, nature lectures, games and storytelling. Funds permitting, this year the Festival is planning to provide three (3) scholarships to Baltimore County students who wish to pursue careers in science, business, or the arts. Funds will also go to organizations involved with restorations and preservation of historic sites and artifacts in some of the County’s historic African American communities.


The Honorable

Vicki Ballou-Watts,

Third Judicial Circuit,

Baltimore County, MD.

I n 2002, the governor appointed Judge

Vicki Ballou-Watts to the Circuit Court

for Baltimore County where she

presides over serious criminal matters and

major civil, juvenile and family law cases.

In the 2004 general election, Judge Ballou-Watts retained her seat on

the Circuit Court, becoming the first African-American to win a

countywide election in Baltimore County. Judge Ballou-Watts

served as a District Court judge from 1999 until her elevation to the

Circuit Court. Prior to her appointment to the bench, the judge was

engaged in the private practice of law.

Judge Ballou-Watts is active in several professional, civic and

community-based organizations. She is a member of the Executive

Council for the Baltimore County Bar Association (BCBA) and the

Maryland Judiciary’s Justice Matters editorial board. The judge also

serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Greater

Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) and the Hannah More School, a

non-public school for students with special needs. In addition, she is

an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and The Links,

Incorporated.

In 2011, Judge Ballou-Watts received the Leadership In

Law award which recognizes Maryland judges and lawyers

for their contributions to the legal profession. She has also

been inducted into The Daily Record’s Circle of Excellence

after her selection as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women

for the third time.

Judge Ballou-Watts is a 1980 cum laude graduate of

Howard University and received her law degree from the

University of North Carolina. She is married and has three

(3) children.

Who Has Most Inspired Me

The late New York Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm continues to be an inspiration for me. She was the first African-American woman elected to Congress in 1968 and served seven (7) terms.

Rep. Chisholm was an outspoken and courageous advocate for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and other laws that promoted workers’ rights as well as increased funding for education and healthcare.

Never afraid to challenge the status quo, Shirley Chisholm was the first woman ever to run for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 1972. She used her candidacy to bring new voters into the political process and focused attention on issues not addressed by other candidates. Although she encountered many challenges, her candidacy paved the way for others. Or, as she explained, her presidential campaign was a necessary “catalyst for change.”

S haring life in the Community in the old days would take a

book in itself. However, to summarize, life was simple--unworldly and extremely restrictive. Permission was required for everything. One’s life was fine tuned to a science of how and when to dress, act, work, play and pray. Life was strictly regimented. Yet, through it all the freely chosen decision to give myself totally to God

through poverty, chastity and obedience was a personal conviction that this was the life asked of me by a call from God; it made my life strangely beautiful. God’s grace prevailed. In spite of the restrictive environment, great saints have given witness to it and talents and skills blossomed. It was hard, but that was the way we thought and the way we were taught it was supposed to be. Love of God and our neighbor surmounted all obstacles. There is no doubt I was happy. As I look back, I would not want to repeat many of the customs that were prevalent in the old days. Yet, I have no regrets and see the hardships endured as stepping-stones to the kingdom. It

provided me with a disciplinary formation that strengthens me as a person.

If I had my early years to live over, knowing what I do now, I’d

make the same free de ntinues to be fully human but constantly

touched by the grace of the Divine. Today, since Vatican II, the

responsibility for my growth in love of God and God’s people

rests squarely on my shoulders. It is I who make the personal

decisions for deepening my walk with God and serving the

people of God. These decisions, discerned through prayer to the

Holy Spirit and in collaboration with my religious superiors or

leaders continue to affirm me in doing, not my will, but God’s

will in my regard. As a Christian I commit wholly to God’s

commandment to love him with my whole heart, mind and soul.

As a Catholic, I embrace the precepts of the Church. As an

Oblate Sister of Providence, I accept personal responsibility for

the witness of consecrated life that I project to others. I am

personally responsible for working to build Community by my

participation and sharing of goals, prayer and a better life for

those around me as we walk together toward the kingdom. I

freely and joyfully accept as a gift of the Holy Spirit my vocation to this religious Congregation and know that this is where

I can serve best. Herein lies God’s will for me. This, indeed, is

where I belong! Continued on next page

BLACK WOMEN of BALTIMORE COUNTY in HISTORY and CULTURE

Sister Mary Virginnie Fish, O.P.S.

Issue 16

ties. Michelle Gourdine and Associ-

ates is dedicated to creating a health

care system in which all people benefit

equally by developing policies that

make the healthy choice the easy and

affordable choice.

A graduate of the Johns Hopkins

School of Medicine, Dr. Gourdine is a

Clinical Assistant Professor at the Uni-

versity of Maryland School of Medi-

cine, and Senior Associate faculty at

the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School

of Public Health. She is the former

Deputy Secretary of Health and Chief

Public Health Physician for the state of

Maryland, and former Health Commis-

sioner for Baltimore County.

Dr. Michelle Gourdine,

M.D.

Dr. Michelle A.

Gourdine is a

physician, health

policy specialist

and expert in

African American health and preven-

tive health and wellness. Throughout

her medical career of nearly 20 years,

she has felt compelled to not simply

treat disease, but keep people from

getting sick in the first place. She no-

ticed that people of color and poor

people always seemed to get sicker and

die younger, and grew weary of seeing

people who look like her suffering the

most from the consequences of poor

health. She wrote her new book, Re-

claiming Our Health: A Guide to Afri-

can American Wellness (Yale Univer-

sity Press), because African Americans

are affected by obesity, high blood

pressure, cancer, and other serious

health conditions at far greater rates

than other Americans. Her book re-

veals the unique cultural factors that

influence African American health,

and empowers individuals to make

better health choices for themselves,

their families, and their communities.

Her advice and book have been re-

cently highlighted in the New York

Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, USA

Today and Essence Magazine.

As CEO and Principal Consultant for

Michelle Gourdine and Associates

LLC, her belief in the right of every

human being to be healthy drives her

firm’s special emphasis on improving

the health of disadvantaged communi-

Source: Interview and photographs

from the book, “In Our Voices,” by

Louis S. Diggs, 1998


Mother Mary Lange has been a role model par excellence because of her vision, sacrifice and perseverance. To

borrow a phrase from Dr. Martin Luther King, Mother Lange, too, has been a “drum major” for justice. Her medium was not through public witness but through

education.

Mother Lange was God’s instrument to found the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first Catholic congregation of women religious of African heritage in the world. Founded to teach, her followers for more than 183 years have brought about so-cial, religious and even financial change to the African American community through education. Her educational im-pact has reached not only the church, but the city, the nation and the world. I

am proud and pleased to follow her lead.

Sister Mary Virginnie Fish, cont’d.

I became an Oblate Sister of Provi-

dence by default. I, a Methodist,

actually did not like Catholics. I

perceived them as arrogant and dis-

criminatory. Besides, I wanted to be

a nurse, marry a doctor and have

four children. My widowed mother

sent my sister and me to a Catholic

boarding high school. There, to pro-

tect my sister who had leanings to-

ward Catholicism, I took a course of

instruction for information. It was

only a matter of time before the

grace of God tapped this unlikely

candidate to say,” Follow me.” Al-

ways, even as a young Methodist

child, I felt inclined to do God’s will.

I submitted to this urge--this call--

after a few attempts to ignore and

intensify the voice within. I came

because it was undeniably God’s will

for me.

Shopping, at one time an adventure

is now only a labyrinthine frustrating

experience. The rows and rows of

items of choice, the seemingly end

less variety of quantities, contents,

and prices, gives to me, a compara-

tive shopper, and a king sized head-

ache. Crowds, once loved, adds to

the sense of dismay.

I love being used as an instrument by

God. I love to swim, read and travel,

yes, and talk. As I move into my

fifty-third year as an Oblate Sister of

Providence, I know that God has

indeed fulfilled his promise to me.

He assured me long ago that he

would never leave me nor forsake

me. He promised that if I sought

first the kingdom of God and his

justice, he would provide all I would

need. My God has been and contin-

ues to be a faithful God. I can only

sing, “Bless the Lord My Soul” for

all his goodness to me. Jesus Christ,

my brother, Mary his mother and

mine, and all my saintly brothers and

sisters in heaven walk with me as I

make this pilgrim journey in the

company of Oblate Sisters. How

blessed I have been. How blessed I

am.


Women in Maryland” by the Daily

Record and inducted into the Circle of

Excellence for Sustained Achieve-

ment. In addition, she received in

March, 2010 both the Harriett Ross

Tubman Lifetime Achievement Award

and the Living Women History

Maker’s Community Award. She has

been recognized for her significant

contributions to the Community on the

County, State and Federal levels in-

cluding six Baltimore County Execu-

tives, the Maryland General Assembly

and several Members of Congress.

As the first Executive Director of the

Baltimore County Office of Fair Prac-

tices and Community Affairs, she has

faithfully served the citizens of the

County for over 35 years. She pres-

ently serves as Deputy Director of the

Baltimore County Office of Human

Resources. During her civil service

career, she has worked with the di-

verse population of the County with

dedication and sensitivity, making her

presence felt by individual citizens,

business owners, religious leaders and

The Honorable

Adrienne A. Jones

Speaker Pro Tem

Maryland House of

Delegates

Delegate Adrienne

A. Jones has been a

member of the

Maryland General

Assembly since 1997, representing the

10th Legislative District of Baltimore

County. On January 11th, 2012 she

was once again unanimously elected

for the tenth time as Speaker Pro Tem

by the full House of Delegates. Cur-

rently, they are seven women who

serve as Speaker Pro Tem in the

Country she is the only African

American woman and the first to serve

in the position in Maryland’s history.

She presently serves on the House

Appropriations Committee and is

Chair of the Capital Budget Subcom-

mittee and House Chair of the Joint

Committee on Fair Practices and

Personnel Oversight. She also serves

on the Health and Human Resources

Subcommittee, Spending Afforda-

bility Committee, Legislative Policy

Committee and is Co-Chair of the

Joint Legislative Work Group to

Study State, County and Municipal

Fiscal Relationships.

Speaker Pro Tem Jones currently

serves as a member of several busi-

ness and civic organizations which

include the UMBC Public Policy Ex-

ternal Advisory Board, Education

Commission of the States, “We are

Family” Community Development

Corporation, Maryland Citizens for

the Arts, The Maryland Food Bank,

The Governor’s Commission on Small

Business and the National Organiza-

tion of Black Elected Legislative

Women.

In May of 2007, she was for a third

time named as one of the “Top 100

number of boards and received many

awards for outstanding community ser-

vice. In September, 1989, she was hon-

ored at a special tribute attended by

more than one thousand people. Alice

and her husband Bill were dedicated

members of the Baltimore Urban

League. She also served as Chair of the

Board of Directors and was instrumental

in the restoration of the Orchard Street

Church, the present home of The

League. She was a long time member of

St. James Episcopal Church and its St.

Martha’s Guild. Her other memberships

included Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,

Smart Set, AGNN’s, The Club and Coo-

Coo’s. She died on November 16, 1995.


My mother was a product of the strong Afri-can American women who influenced her childhood and life her mother, aunt, teachers and many other strong women who encour-aged her to work hard and obtain an educa-tion in spite of the adversities and difficulties that she was facing as a child in Greenspring Valley in her early years.

Dr. Alice Gwathney

Pinderhughes

Alice Gwathney

Pinderhughes, the

only child of the

late Rebecca and

James Hugh

Gwathney, was

born on August

22, 1921 in Balti-

more County in

the small Green Spring Valley Commu-

nity of Chattolanee. She was Balti-

more’s first and only woman Superin-

tendent of Baltimore City Public

Schools. Having served the school sys-

tem for forty years prior to her appoint-

ment by Mayor William Donald Schae-

fer in the early eighties, Alice thought

her career would be winding down at

age sixty-one. Instead, she assumed the

responsibility of Superintendent of the

Baltimore Public Schools with great

pride and enthusiasm.

Throughout her career as a Teacher,

administrator and Superintendent, she

demonstrated a commitment to the chil-

dren of Baltimore, insisting on the high-

est standards of instruction and firmly

believing that children can learn. Under

her leadership, test scores improved,

community involvement increased and

the classroom experience became the

focal point of administrative deci-

sions. She advocated for the full scale

participation of parents, community and

business in the Public Schools. She was

fair-minded and loyal.

The Community saw Alice as a giant

who served with a sense of dig-

nity. Always outspoken on issues rele-

vant to the improvement of the commu-

nity, she was a lady who demonstrated

not only wisdom, but elegance and

beauty as well. Educated in the Balti-

more City Public Schools, Alice gradu-

ated from the former Coppin Teacher’s

College. She attended Towson State

College and was the recipient of numer-

ous Honorary Degrees, including a Doc-

torate in Education from Morgan State

University.

A participant in various community and

political organizations, she served on a

Issue 16

The Honorable

Delores G. Kelley, Ph.D.

Maryland State Senator

In 1994, Dr. Delores G.

Kelley was elected as the

first African-American

State Senator to represent

Baltimore County. She

earlier had served one

term as a Delegate repre-

senting Baltimore City.

Over 120 of Maryland’s current laws were bills

sponsored by Senator Kelley. Her many legisla-

tive victories include: Right to Counsel for Ju-

veniles Arrested or Detained; Permanency for

Children in Out-of-Home Placement; Mothers

and Infants Health Security Act; New Home

Builders Registration Act; No Probation before

Judgment - Sexual Offenses Against a Child;

Grounds for Absolute Divorce-Domestic Vio-

lence; and Maryland General and Limited

Power of Attorney Act (Loretta’s Law).

Her official duties include service as Chair,

Senate Committee on Executive Nominations;

Chair, Communications, Financial Services &

Interstate Commerce Committee Of National

Conference of State Legislators; Vice Chair,

Joint Committee on Health Care Delivery and

Financing; Member, Medicaid Advisory Coun-

cil; Member, Unemployment Insurance Over-

sight Committee; Member, State Commission

on Criminal Sentencing Policy; Member, Edu-

cation Commission of the States; Member of

Legislative Committee, Interstate Insurance

Product Regulation Commission; and Member,

Maryland Council on Educator Effectiveness.

Among her many awards and recognitions are,

action on community issues, and to stimu-late an awareness of the importance of the ballot for economic, social and civic pro-gress. The motto of Woman Power Inc. is "Each One, Reach One, Each One Teach One." Lillian Dorsey asked me to Chair their Annual Leadership Conference in the late 80's. That early Leadership role, I felt was the beginning of my public service career that led me to where I am today, as a 36 year Baltimore County Government Official, State Delegate and the first African Ameri-can Woman Speaker Pro Tem in Maryland History.

She is the Founder of the Annual

Baltimore County African American

Cultural Festival, now in its 16th

year.

Speaker Pro Tem Jones was born in

Cowdensville, Maryland, a historic

African American community located

near Arbutus, in Southwest Baltimore

County. She attended Baltimore

County Public Schools and received

her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psy-

chology from the University of Mary-

land Baltimore County (UMBC) in

1976. She attended The National Se-

curity Seminar, U.S. Army War Col-

lege in 2007. She received an Honor-

ary Doctor of Law Degree from

Goucher College in 2008. She has two

adult sons and resides in Woodstock,

Maryland.


Lillian Dorsey, was a Community Activist, Federal Government Official, a friend and a Mentor. She recruited me to join Woman Power, Inc., a non-partisan, non-profit or-ganization founded by the late Victorine Adams and Ethel Rich in 1958. The pur-pose of Woman Power, Inc. is to dissemi-nate political information, direct political


My mother, Helen Jefferson Goodwin (who grew up in poverty and who at age eleven, lost her own mother) had a tremendous impact on me as she implemented her plan to transform herself from GED recipient to a Ph.D. graduate of the Johns Hopkins Univer-sity. I learned the importance of goal-setting, of discipline and of team work from her, as she invited her college classmates to our house to study, to do research, and to critique each other’s assignments. Because of her heavy schedule, which included sew-ing late at night to earn her tuition, I learned early how to be relatively self-reliant at helping with my three younger siblings, while I acquired significant culinary skills. I also learned from my mother that if you were blessed with the opportunity to get a good education, that you should not be the only beneficiary of that knowledge, but that you should use it to improve the lives of others. I continue to be encouraged by my mother’s former students at Morgan and at Coppin, who share with me the difference that she made in their lives, as their college professor, but even more so as their mentor and friend. My mother taught me the importance of appreciating your God-given gifts and of using them for others.

the YWCA’s First Racial Justice

Award; listing in Who’s Who in

America; and the Daily Record’s Cir-

cle of Excellence for her three time

recognition as one of Maryland’s Top

100 Women. In 2010, she was named

Legislator of the Year by the Maryland

Consumer Rights Coalition and the

Maryland Chapter of the American

College of Emergency Physicians and

was given the Trailblazer Award by

the Baltimore County NAACP.

A long-time professor and Dean, Dr.

Delores Kelley retired from Coppin

State University in 2004. A founding

member of the Harbor Bank of Mary-

land, she serves on the Board’s Execu-

tive Committee. She is a life member

of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc,

and a Past President of the Black Jew-

ish Forum of Baltimore (BLEWS).

Former Secretary of the Maryland

Democratic Party, she served on the

Maryland Electoral College in 2004

and as its Chair in 2008.

Former Trustee Board Chair at Union

Baptist Church, Delores Kelley is mar-

ried to her college sweetheart, Dr. Rus-

sell Kelley, and is the mother of three

adult children and the grandmother of

three.


names because the first immortal

human cell line in history.

Scientists at Hopkins where she

died had been working for years to

try to start a continuously

reproducing cell line, but the cells

always died. Lack's were the first

that tot "took", introducing a

constantly reproducing line of cells

that are literally, to give them their

scientific definition, uniquely

Immortal.

Henrietta Lacks (Posthumously)

Henrietta Lacks, a

31 year old

mother of five, a

resident of

Turner's Station,

Baltimore

County died of

cervical cancer on

October

4,1951 and while her

disease was a tragedy for her

family, for the world of medical

research and beyond that, every

one of us on the planet it was

something of a miracle. Because,

in the years since her death, Lack's

cell taken from her tumor while she

was undergoing surgery have been

responsible for some of the most

important medical advances of all

time: Th polio vacine,

chemotherapy, cloning, gene mapping and IVF, all of these

health milestones, and many more,

owe everything to the life and

death of a young mother.

Lack's cells known as HeLa, using

the first two letters of each of her

and provide services for families,

children and vulnerable adults.


Mary McLeod Bethune, the founder of Bethune—Cookman College, the creator of the National Council of Negro Women, the Organizer of the Federal Council on Negro Affairs, advisory body to Franklin D. Roosevelt, and the appointed, Director, Division of Negro Affairs. National Youth Administration and many other accomplishments, contributed significantly to Black Women in American Culture and

History.

As a native of Orlando, Fl. forty five miles from Daytona Beach, Fl. the location of Bethune Cookman College, as a youth I was influenced by the work of Mrs. Bethune. She was a role model for the young girls and women in the Florida communities. We all strived to uphold the principles and standards of social graces, education and political practices she

displayed.

One of her famous quote is "Be Calm' be steadfast, be courageous. She was one of the most influential black women of her time. She used her power to help hundreds of thousands Africans American

expand their power.

LaFrance K. Muldrow, M.S.W.

LaFrance K.

Muldrow, M.S.W.,

retired as Deputy

Director of the

Baltimore County

Department of

social Services in

2001. She has had

more than three

decades of exper-

ience working in

the social welfare

arena. Having held various

positions in three large public welfare

agencies - Anne Arundel County

Department of Social Services,

Montgomery County Department of

Social Services and Baltimore

County Department of Social

Services - her perspective and

knowledge about social policies,

administration and practice are

extensive. She has been as associate

faculty member at the college of

Notre Dame of Maryland. LaFrance

has served as a Field Instructor for

the University of Maryland School of

Social Work, at Baltimore, Maryland;

Howard University School of Social

Work, Washington, D.C.; and

Morgan State University, Baltimore,

Maryland. She has served as the

Field Instructor Coordinator for the

said universities. She was a faculty

field liaison for the University of MD

School of Social Work for nine years.

Prior to beginning her social work

career LaFrance worked as an

Apprentice in Social Work for Youth

Consultation Service, Newark, New

Jersey. This agency was under the

auspices of National Council of the

Episcopal Church. She lived in and

planned and supervised, along with

three other apprentices, the activities

of 12 emotionally disturbed children,

ages five to twelve. This was a one

year program. Apprentices left the

program after the one year to pursue

their career or to graduate school.

The experience in this program

influence her interest in helping

others and becoming an active and

contributing member of the Episcopal

Church.

LaFrance is a graduate of the

University of Maryland School of

Social Work MSW Program and the

Post Masters Certificate in Social

Administration Program. In additions

she has received training in the Child

Welfare League of American

Managed Care Institute and the New

Executive Orientation and Leadership

Training Program. Formerly, Ms.

Muldrow was president of the Pro

Bono Counseling Project and she was

the first African American president

of the Baltimore County Commission

for Women. She is an active member

of several local and national boards

and commissions, which advocate

Issue 16


In December of 1851, Sojourner Truth made her famous speech, and “Ain’t I A Woman? She spoke at least 140 years before I ever read the speech, but the impact was as if I was present in the room. She could not read or write, but what power, wisdom and courage came from her during a time when women, not to mention black women, were not expected to publicly speak. Sojourner had a very difficult life. She and her family were victims of slavery, but those experiences did not break her. If anything, they fueled the fire that burned in her as an abolitionist, advocate for women’s rights, evangelist, lecturer, and a woman. For a brief period in her life, Sojourner worked as a nurse, nurse educator and hospital administrator. She received an appointment by President Lincoln in 1864 to work with the National Freedman’s Relief Association. Sojourner was appointed to work with a physician at the Freedmen’s Hospi-tal in Washington, DC from 1865 to 1867. The literature states that she ran the hospital, car-ing for the African American soldiers. She taught newly recruited nurses how to clean wounds, change bandages and make beds. She also asked congress to provide funding to train more nurses. Sojourners work preceded

Judy C. Parker, RN

Judy C. Parker has dedicated

her professional career to

nursing and health care. She

has felt a commitment to

caring for the underserved

populations in our commu-

nity. While she has worked

in many areas of health care,

providing care to the men-

tally ill through the public health system has

been the most rewarding. Ms. Parker retired

from Spring Grove Hospital Center in

Catonsville in 2006 after 30 years of State

service. Spring Grove is the second oldest

continuously operating State hospital in the

county having begun in1797. Ms. Parker

held a number of nursing management posi-

tions at the hospital during her tenure with

the last 25 years being spent at the level of

executive management. She was the first

African American to be appointed as a Divi-

sion Director at the hospital with responsi-

bilities as a clinical administrator for various

levels of inpatient care, to include intermedi-

ate, long-term, geriatric, medical-surgical

and research. She was also responsible for

the non-inpatient residential programs. In

addition to being a first as a Division Direc-

tor, Ms. Parker was also the first non-

physician and nurse to hold a position at

this level in the hospital. A born leader,

Ms, Parker has more than 41 years of ex-

perience in nursing and health care manage-

ment. In addition to her work at Spring

Grove and seeing a need, she has cared for

dozens of foster children in her home, re-

sulting from a Governor’s appointment to a

Foster Care Review Board. Ms. Parker

serves as the parish nurse and leader for

health ministry at the First Apostolic Faith

Church in Baltimore. By promoting health

and wellness at the local churches, Ms

Parker believes that we can attack health

care problems plaguing our communities.

After retiring from full time employment,

Ms. Parker continues to impact health care

as she travels across the nation sharing her

expertise with hospitals and health care

facilities through her work with a premier

accrediting organization. She has also en-

tered a new phase in life, as she studies to

become a minister. Ms. Parker has received

many accolades for her good work, but her

proudest accomplishments can be seen in

her children and grand children.

holds an Advanced Professional Certifica-

tion in the State of Maryland and is a mem-

ber of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.


The Woman whom inspires me most is my mother. Carolyn Oatis, a former educator and Sunday school teacher, who has always been an advocate for children. She continues to encour-age youth to be the best that they can be and to shape their lives morally and spiritually. She raised nine children, helped raise 14 grand chil-dren and is now looking to help with the great

grand children.

She taught me to persevere and to never give up, especially on the children. She set good examples and volunteers to help with any en-deavor. She has such a giving heart and spirit as she continues to reach out to help people in the family, church, school and community to reach

their goals

She has been a big supporter of The Boys Choir of Powhatan since its inception and has traveled with us over the years to our tour destinations. At age 91 she is still lives independently, self sus-

taining and continues to be supportive.

Joe Ann Oatis, Founder/Director,

The Boys Choir of Powhatan

Joe Ann Oatis’ teach-

ing career began in the

Baltimore City Public

Schools. In 1997 she

moved to the Balti-

more County Public

Schools where she

worked as a Vocal

Music Teacher at

Powhatan Elementary

School. In 1998, she organized the Boys

Choir of Powhatan as a means to increase

the academic achievements of young Afri-

can American males and to have an educa-

tional experience best described as

“Exploring Possibilities Through Travel and

Song”, the groups theme. She has planned

and successfully completed 11 educational

spring tours with the choir visiting more

than 16 states and 26 cities. Ms. Oatis also

organized a Summer Music and Performing

Arts Camp (1998) that offers a music en-

richment program that includes vocal train-

ing, theory, sight singing, stage presence,

choreography, performance etiquette and

community service. Oatis has founded and

organized other programs such as The Sitao

Corporation in 2006, an independent, non-

profit corporation that provides funding to

underserved youth groups, an after school

program for girls that enriches their lives

in the areas of arts and letters, education,

physical and mental health and social and

political awareness. She has received nu-

merous awards for her work with the Boys

Choir of Powhatan, the after school girls

program, the summer music camp and The

Sitao Corporation. Her honors received are

the Hattie W. Richardson ASALH Award,

Fullwood Foundation Valued Hours Award,

the Frisby Historical Society Award, the

Benjamin Banneker Center Recognition, the

Continental Societies Memorial Award, the

State Farm Ujima Award, the Berenbach

Educational Incentives Fund Award, the

Woodlawn Rotary “Service Above Self”

Award, the Epworth United Methodist

Chapel 10 Year Service Award, the Balti-

more County Chamber of Commerce Excel-

lence in Education Award , the Links

Women in the Arts Award, the Keeper of

the Flame Award, presented by Delta Sigma

Theta Sorority, Inc. at their 50th National

Convention in New Orleans, LA, The How-

ard Cornish Humanitarian Award from the

Morgan State University Alumni Associa-

tion and most recently The MBABSE Out-

standing Community Service Award. Ms.

Oatis was raised in Hattiesburg, Missis-

sippi; she holds a Bachelor of Music Educa-

tion Degree from Jackson State University

and completed graduate studies in Music

Education at Morgan State University. She


creative woman work! When I became a teacher, she helped me through the rough times, showing me that the love of transmitting knowledge and helping others to learn was a noble thing to do. I keep that in mind every time I stepped into a public school classroom from 1963-1996, and, now, at Morgan State

University. I remember mama.

Mom was an adventurer. There was no place in the world she was afraid to go, and by her self! She traveled to Europe, to Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and to Alaska… just because she could! She crossed the entire U.S. driving her car by her self so that she could teach me about the states of the United States! There were few hotels or motels we could sleep in along the way, in the 1950’s, and once, we were told to purchase our food at the back of the restaurant. We slept in the car. I never forgot that. When I got married and had chil-dren, she bought a RV so that she could take my children, her grandchildren, Vernon, Kevin, and Angela, on trips in order that they, too, could have a variety of experiences. It was on one of those trips in Florida, however, that she died in a drowning accident; but she has never

been forgotten.

Mama was the “Afro-American Teacher of the Year” for more than three consecutive years (or more- I cannot remember all of the times). She fought the fight against racism and was not afraid to challenge those who would at-tempt to promote it. And, her fight gave me the courage to participate in the Civil Rights Move-ment in the ‘60’s while I was a student at Mor-gan State College; and, thereafter, when I graduated from college. It was because of her that I was encouraged to find and establish a chapter of Delta Sigma Theta in Baltimore County, as well as the Julian Branch of the Association for the Study of African American

Life and History.

She was a disciplined and loving woman. She was not hesitant in demonstrating her love for people. She often cooked many dinners for others. Her rolls were well known in Maryland and Virginia! She fed hungry people. She fed her students. I had a bunch of “brothers and sisters,” as an only child, because she would bring them home to either spend the night or live with us for indefinite periods of time. That love of children encouraged me to find and establish the Jack and Jill of American, Inc.

chapter in Baltimore County.

I could go on and on about the woman who gave me my wings, my mother, but this event does not allow me to do it at this time. As I close, I say thank you mama, for what you did for me. It keeps me moving forward, making

my wings have usefulness.

Gloria Richardson Marrow Mrs. Gloria

Richardson

Marrow has

been a resident

of Baltimore

County for

over 32 years.

She has served

in a variety of

positions in the

educational

field: a Balti-

more City public school history teacher,

public school history department head,

assistant principal, and principal. She

has been retired from the Baltimore City

Public School System since 1996; but

for 16 years she has remained in the

educational field as a full time teacher

of history at Morgan State University.

Mrs. Marrow has been very active in

public service activity in Baltimore

County and for the state of Maryland.

She was the initiator of three predomi-

nately African American organizations

in the County. She coordinated the

founding and establishment of the Balti-

more County Alumnae Chapter of Delta

Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also

established a branch of the Julian

Branch of the Association for the Study

of African American Life and History,

Inc. Having the interest of children as a

primary concern of hers, she coordi-

nated the founding and establishment of

the Baltimore County Chapter of Jack

and Jill of America, Inc. In service to

Baltimore County and the state of

Maryland, Mrs. Marrow has served on

the Maryland State Board of Elections

for Baltimore County. She was a mem-

ber of the Stem Cell Commission until

recently. She currently is a member of

the Living Legacy Foundation,

(formerly the Organ and Transplant

Center of Maryland), where she at one

time served as its President, and cur-

rently serves as the Vice Governor of

the Executive Board. Mrs. Marrow has

also served on the Board of the Girl

Scouts of Central Maryland. She once

served as a member of the Benjamin

Banneker Museum Board. She has

worked with several state political lead-

ers to include both State Senator

Delores Kelley and former State Sena-

tor Paula Hollinger on committees of

economic development and scholarship.

At one time, she served on the Board of

Trustees of Northwest Hospital; and

currently serves as the Chair of the

Health Advisory Board of Northwest

Hospital. Mrs. Marrow is also a Com-

missioner on the Baltimore County

Commission for Women. She has re-

cently been re-appointed for two more

years as a Commissioner on the Attor-

ney Grievance Commission for the state

of Maryland for Baltimore County.,

The people who play a big part in her

life on a daily basis are her three adult

children: Vernon J. Marrow, Kevin M.

Marrow, and Angela M. Weems. Promi-

nently in her life, too, are her five

grandchildren: James Alexander Shuler

Marrow, Justin Michael Shuler Marrow,

Maliq Davone Richardson, Laila

Nicole Weems, and Aaron Henry

Weems. She has one daughter in-law

Monica Shuler Marrow, and one son-in-

law Jamal Ali Weems. What’s next in

her life depends upon how long she can

keep going! She is a member of the

National Society of Pershing Angels,

Inc. A military/civilian women’s or-

ganization, which she helped found in

1961-1965 at Morgan State College,

now Morgan State University. She cur-

rently serves as its Alpha Chapter Cam-

pus Advisor. She, of course, is a life-

time member of both Delta Sigma Theta

Sorority, Inc. and Jack and Jill of Amer-

ica, Inc. and gives complete service to

both organizations’ goals and programs.

.


“She Gave Me “Wings”

Historically speaking, and as a Historian, I can site several African American women who I admire for their courage and service to the Community; however, the woman for whom I have the greatest respect, love, and admiration was, and still is, my mother, Mrs. Hattie Maude Williams Richardson. She was a highly edu-cated woman who understood the value of a thorough education, not just a good one. When the public schools of Baltimore, Maryland were integrated she “forced” me to step from out of my safety school zone and go to a predomi-nately white high school- Eastern All Girls High School- saying to me each morning “as long as you are sitting in that classroom with the white students, you are going to get whatever they get;” so every time I bulked at getting up and going to that school on 33rd Street and Loch Raven Blvd., she pushed me out. Later, in my college experience, she said try to complete your college education in three years, because I only have enough money for three years. I did it. She raised me by her self. She was a teacher and administrator. I loved to see that

Issue 16

She has been involved for over forty

years as an active member of Delta

Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She joined

the sorority while a student at North

Carolina Central University by becom-

ing a member of the Alpha Lambda

Chapter in 1969. She has served as

Treasurer for several terms in both the

Baltimore County Alumnae and Balti-

more Alumnae Chapters. Gladys was

one of the first coordinators of The

Annual Beautillion-Cotillion Ball held

by the Baltimore County Alumnae

Chapter. They will be celebrating

twenty-five years in November 2011.

Gladys was one of the Coordinators of

the 2009 Eastern Regional Conference

of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Gladys served four years as the Na-

tional Treasurer of Jack and Jill of

America, Inc. continued on

Gladys Wade

Bragg, MBA

Gladys Wade Bragg

is the owner of Spe-

cialty Marketing and

Printing (SMPShop)

and is celebrating 20

years in 2012. They

provide promotional

products, souvenir items, awards,

plaques and printing services for busi-

nesses, churches, organizations, reun-

ions, family affairs, meetings, and any

special events. They have provided

products and services for Camp David,

HUD, Social Security, Harbor Bank,

Baltimore City Public Schools, Balti-

more County Public Schools, Baltimore

County and Baltimore City government

offices, Morgan State University, Cop-

pin State University, University of Bal-

timore, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,

Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Alpha

Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa

Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Bethel

Church, Union Bethel, Colonial Bap-

tist, New Antioch, many other busi-

nesses, organizations, churches and

families. You may see them on the

internet at www.smpshop.com.

Gladys served on the faulty of Morgan

State University for thirteen years

where she taught marketing, business

and other marketing related courses.

She served on numerous organizations

and committees of which her most joy

came while serving as the Advisor to

the University’s Yearbook staff.


Rachel Scott Thomas, my mother, is the woman who has inspired me the most. She held me first, loved me first, and was the example I copied for many other firsts. For these and many other reasons, I love her still.

Yet, what inspired me was who she was as a person. My mother was the most caring and hard-working woman I have known. In addition to caring for her own nine children, she helped raise her sister’s four children when my aunt died of breast cancer at an early age. The inspiration is that she man-aged this feat while often working two jobs. Miss Rachel, as she was known, would feed the neighborhood and care for those who needed assistance.

From my mother, I learned the value of hard work, sacrifice and perseverance. These lessons sustained me as I completed two graduate degrees while working full-time. Although my mother’s life was filled with responsibility of caring for family and friends, she was fun-loving and a source of comfort to those around here. From my mother, I learned to appreciate God’s beauty: a flower, a sunrise and a good laugh.

Even today, my mother remains a source of inspiration to me. I think of her as I navigate this phase of my life for I know no other person that I want to emulate.

Janet Thomas Johnson, Esq.,

MBA

Janet’s professional

life is dedicated to

public service, and

her personal life

reflects a commit-

ment to lifelong

learning. After graduate school, Janet

served as the assistant to the county

manager in Wake County, North Caro-

lina. In 1982, she moved from North

Carolina to Maryland to take a position

in the Office of Budget and Finance for

Baltimore County Government. She

spent several years as a budget analyst

and quickly moved up the ranks to sen-

ior analyst status. During this time,

Janet’s commitment to lifelong learning

motivated her to attend law school

while working full-time.

In 1992, Janet’s hard work and determi-

nation was recognized: she was re-

cruited to serve as the Fire Executive

Officer for the Baltimore County Fire

Department. Janet was the first African-

American and first female to be ap-

pointed to the position. Upon her ap-

pointment, she became the highest

ranking civilian in the Fire Department

and one of the highest level managers

in the Baltimore County government.

As Fire Executive Officer, Janet had

managerial oversight for all non-

emergency systems: payroll, budgeting,

purchasing and personnel. As evidence

of her commitment to lifelong learning,

she became a nationally certified fire-

fighter and a state certified emergency

medical technician.

In 2006, Janet continued her dedication

to public service with her appointment

as Board Executive to the Baltimore

City Board of School Commissioners

(School Board.) In this role, she serves

as the administrative officer to the

School Board and its liaison to the

school systems’ chief executive officer.

In 2009, her commitment to lifelong

learning led her to complete a graduate

degree in business while working full-

time. Janet continues to serve as Board

Executive, a position that she loves.

Janet received an undergraduate degree

from the University of North Carolina

at Chapel Hill, a Juris Doctorate from

the University of Baltimore, and a Mas-

ters of Business Administration degree

from Loyola University. Janet is a

member of the Maryland Bar, the Com-

munity College of Baltimore County

Foundation Board, the Baltimore

Women’s Giving Circle, and the Balti-

more County Alumnae Chapter of Delta

Sigma Theta Sorority.

Janet is married to Harry S. Johnson,

Esquire. They have two adult children,

and the family resides in Cockeysville.

http://www.smpshop.com


Citizens Planning and Housing Asso-

ciation. She delivered the keynote

address for the N.A.A.C.P. Merri-

mack Valley Branch Dr. Martin Lu-

ther King Breakfast and shared the

stage with Senator John Kerry. She

was invited by Senator Edward Ken-

nedy to his home in Cape Cod, MA.

Ella is a member of Epworth Chapel,

where she has served as Chairperson

of the Administrative Board.


The Black woman who had the greatest impact on her life was her mother who worked two and three jobs, and raised four girls after her husband died. In spite of the huge demands she faced, she still

found time for community service.

Dr. Ella White Campbell

Dr. Ella White

Campbell is Ex-

ecutive Director of

the Liberty Road

Community Coun-

cil, Inc. (an um-

brella organization

for neighborhood

organizations,

houses of worship,

PTA groups and other civic organiza-

tions). She is President Emeritus of

the Stevenswood Improvement Asso-

ciation and past chairperson of the

Minority Achievement Advisory

Group for the Baltimore County Pub-

lic School System.

She is known as the Mover and

Shaker in Baltimore County. Her

courageous leadership enabled the

community to close the notorious

Body Talk Strip Club and a teenage

night club in the Randallstown area.

She led the battle to stop the prolifera-

tion of pawn shops in Baltimore

County. Her bold leadership resulted

in legislation to restrict skating rinks

in residential areas. She was a lead-

ing advocate for the building of Win-

dsor Mill Middle School and the Ran-

dallstown Community Center.

She excels in leadership and has

earned a national reputation as a lead-

ership trainer. She authored the

County’s first Handbook for Leaders.

She has trained the boards of major

organizations such as the Baltimore

Urban League, Maryland Committee

on Sickle Cell Anemia, the Baltimore

Junior League and the American Can-

cer Society. She is consultant and life

member of the Baltimore County

Branch of the N.A.A.C.P. She is a

life member of Delta Sigma Theta

Sorority, Inc.

Ella is the recipient of numerous local

and national awards. She received the

Regional Champion Award from the

ation of my capabilities and talents, ener-gized and ready to go forward. She served as a source of inspiration and motivation which made me feel like I could achieve anything that I set out to do as long as I was disciplined and determined. She possessed wonderful qualities that I often wanted to emulate. I went on to college as a first gen-eration student to receive a Bachelor’s de-gree in Mathematics and a Master's degree in Marketing with an Option in Information Systems from the University of Pennsyl-vania Wharton Graduate Division. I owe a large part of my life long successes, espe-cially with regard to my academics, to Mrs. Parks’ inspiration.

Armed with a few of the numerous princi-ples I learned from Mrs. Parks, and my educational achievements, I was able to establish one of the first promotional prod-ucts, marketing and printing businesses in Baltimore County, Maryland owned and operated by an African American female.

Gladys Wade Bragg continued,

She was active within her chapter and

region where she served as President,

Treasurer of the chapter and the Associ-

ate Chair of the Eastern Region. She

served as the Conference Chair for the

Eastern Regional Conference of Jack

and Jill of America, Inc.

Gladys is the current President of the

Baltimore County Delta Foundation.

She holds a B. S. in Mathematics from

North Carolina University, M.B.A. in

Marketing with an Option in Informa-

tion Systems from the University of

Pennsylvania, The Wharton Graduate

Division. She is married to M. Guy

Bragg, DDS, and they have two chil-

dren, Marc Guy Marcel, Robyn Bragg

Dixon and three grandchildren, Domi-

nic Malone, Corey Wade Dixon, Carter

Guy Dixon.

Most recent recognitions include Top

100 Minority Businesses in MD, DC,

VA, 2010 and Top 50 Minority Busi-

nesses in the Baltimore Area, Baltimore

Business Journal, 2011


Every person passes through different ex-periences in their life. However, each of us has one person we believe has changed our lives in some way. So, when asked who has been one of the most influential females in my life, without any hesitation, I knew it was Mrs. Mabel Parks, my high school mathematics teacher at Darden High School in Wilson, North Carolina. She pro-vided a foundation that allowed me to excel in mathematics. She impacted my life greatly and encouraged me to become the person I am today. She helped me in many ways; she pushed me to be the best, and was always there to listen to me talk about my dreams. She supported my goals and aspirations and gave me good advice with my education and my future in mind. After talking to her, I would have a better appreci

Issue 16

Joanne Williams

Director,

Baltimore County

Department of

Aging

Joanne E. Williams

is a native of Balti-

more County who

currently serves as the Director of the

Baltimore County Department of Ag-

ing. Joanne, a graduate of Loyola Col-

lege of Baltimore, has been with the

Department for 29 years. In 1983, the

first Director of the newly established

Department of Aging hired Joanne to

performed account clerk duties in the

agency’s Nutrition Program. After a

few short months, Ms. Williams was

promoted and became instrumental in

developing internal policies and proce-

dures for staff recruitment, evaluation,

training, discipline, and many other

employee-related areas. As a result,

Joanne served as the Human Resources

Officer for 19 years. Prior to being

appointed Director, Joanne served as

Deputy Director for 17 months and

Chief of Senior Centers and Commu-

nity Services for 4 years.

As Director, Ms. Williams is responsi-

ble for the operation of 20 senior cen-

ters, facility operations, senior employ-


Over the past five years I have found myself drawn to a quiet little town known as Cam-bridge, Maryland. I have vacationed there and spent many hours touring galleries, museums and other unique places of inter-est. Two summers ago I spent considerable time in the area researching the life of one Harriet Tubman – a.k.a. Abolitionist, Hu-manitarian, Union Spy, Civil War Nurse, Suffragist, Civil Rights Activist. A women’s work is truly never done! Despite cruelties beyond the imagination, Harriet Tubman spent a lifetime reaching back to help oth-ers. Her work inspires me to continue to give back – back to my community, my family, my Church. Ms. Tubman devoted her life to bringing her family and other slaves to freedom via the “Underground Railroad”. She exemplified courage and determination over a ten-year period making 19 trips into the South and leading hundreds to freedom. Can you imagine traveling at night through the woods and swamps? – maybe it was best that the night overshad-owed all of those creepy crawly things. I pray for a Harriet Tubman kind of strength and persistence. During my study, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that she both owned and donated property to be made into a home for “aged and indigent colored people”. Needless to say, this piece of history hit close to home for me!

ment, health insurance counseling, vari-

ous subsidy programs, transportation,

special events, guardianship and several

other advocacy and long term care pro-

grams.

Joanne has served on numerous County

and community boards, committees and

focus groups in order to advocate for

the needs and interests of older adults

and their families. An alumni of Lead-

ership Baltimore County, class of 2007,

she now develops presentations for

religious institutions, women’s organi-

zations, community associations, col-

leges and universities. Joanne’s first

love is the Church. Joanne has served

as a member of the St. James African

Union Methodist Protestant Church of

Towson, Maryland since 1978. Ms.

Williams has served as Church Secre-

tary, Usher, and Bible Teacher. Joanne

served as Chair of the Women’s Minis-

try providing professional and spiritual

leadership to women of all ages. In her

current role as Trustee, she assists with

the stewardship of all church property

and financial affairs. She has actively

supported mission to Ghana and Libe-

ria. Joanne, a life-long resident of

White Marsh, Maryland, enjoys spend-

ing time with her family, friends and

church fellowship.

in groups according to our grade levels.

We would have to sit quietly and do our

assigned work as Mrs. Taylor taught the

other grades. When my class completed

the seven grades at that one-room

schoolhouse, I really wanted to con-

tinue my education, but I shall never

forget how the superintendent of our

little school acknowledged the fact that

all three of us passed our classwork, but

he would only approve Edward Fletcher

to go on to higher education. I was told

that there was no reason to pass the

girls, because by the time we were fif-

teen or sixteen years old, we would be

having babies. How unfair this was to

say to a person, and my parents were

tremendously upset about what was

said about the girls. Cont’d next page

Margaret

Williams Rose

(Posthumously)

My name is Marga-

ret Williams Rose. I

was born in Cow-

densville, Arbutus,

Maryland on Garrett

Avenue, on September 28, 1921. My

parents were Mildred Sarah Eley Wil-

liams and Joshua Byard Williams Jr. I

had three siblings, Harold Rogers Wil-

liams, Elmer Stanley Williams, and

Mildred Louise Williams. All born on

Garrett Avenue in Cowdensville.

Growing up in Cowdensville as a

young child was really a nice experi-

ence. We usually played at Jerome

Brown’s home or in the little yard be-

side the one-room schoolhouse. We

never played much around Cowdens-

ville AME Church. Right behind our

home, we had a large vegetable farm,

and sometimes we played in that area.

There was never any real problems with

our White neighbors in Arbutus, except

for the little White children who would

throw stones at us, or would chase us

with sticks, and call us nasty names.

The White adults would treat us nice.

When I was a young girl, I attended the

one-room schoolhouse on Garrett Ave-

nue in Cowdensville, There were only

three of us in my class at that time:

Lucille Scott, Edward Fletcher, and

myself. I remember our teacher who

was Mrs. Violet Mae Taylor. Everyone

in our neighborhood went to that little

schoolhouse, and Mrs. Taylor taught us


father would pick me up and take me

home. I had to get up very early in the

morning to be able to catch a ride with

my father in his truck. I guess I spent a

couple of hours each day just getting to

school, but I was so determined to get

an education that all of the inconven-

iences did not matter. I can’t recall

many of the Oblate Sisters who taught

me at St. Francis, but I do remember

Sister Liberata, a tall, stately sister.

After graduating from St. Frances Acad-

emy, I attended a nursing school at St.

Paul Institute where I graduated. I then

went into the nursing field where I re-

mained for thirty-some years. I began

working at Jenkins Memorial Hospital,

then worked in a nursing facility and

studied in New York City. I eventually

took a position with the old Public

Health Hospital in Wyman Park. How-

ever, during World War II, I did work at

the Glenn L. Martin factory. I retired

from the Public Health Hospital after

almost thirty years of service. It was

here where I first met my husband, who

was also in the health care field, as-

signed also to the U.S. Public Health

Hospital in Wyman Park. He was Paul

Rose. We were married for about thir-

teen years when we had our only child,

Paul Rose Jr., who was born in 1967.

Unfortunately, our son died at a young

age.

Source: Interview and photographs

from the book, “In Our Voices,” by

Louis S. Diggs, 1998.

Margaret Williams Rose, continued

Our grades were even higher than the

boy in the class. I took the Baltimore

County test to attend school in Balti-

more City, and failed the first time

around. I believe Lucille did also, as

well as my cousin, Marion Garrett. We

all retook the test and passed. All of our

parents wanted us to go beyond the

seventh grade, but we were stalemated

because of having to retake the test. I

recall my father and my cousin’s father,

Mr. Garrett, being so extremely upset

with the superintendent of the school for

his unusual attitude of young girls not

being worthy of continuing their educa-

tion, and that they would only have

babies by the time they were young

teenagers. My father argued violently

with the superintendent about his re-

marks, but they fell to deaf ears.

My uncle, Walter Phillips, was also

furious, and he eventually talked to the

Oblate Sisters up on Gun Road who

arranged to have me educated at St.

Frances Academy in Baltimore. I at-

tended and graduated from St. Frances

Academy.

Before going to St. Frances, my father

hired a young lawyer by the name of

Mr. Thurgood Marshall to see if I could

be registered in the White high school

up in Catonsville. My father, like most

of the parents in our little community,

was tired of having their children go all

the way into Baltimore City to attend

school. Knowing that he would have a

fight on his hands, my parents decided

to hire an attorney to assist them. When

Mr. Marshall took me and my class-

mate, Lucille Scott, to Catonsville High

School to attempt to get us registered,

we were denied the opportunity. I really

don’t recall how we were treated when

we got to the Catonsville High School.

It was like I, as a young Black girl,

could not have hopes and dreams of

becoming someone significant in my

adult years, other than just having ba-

bies. I remember Mr. Marshall saying to

Lucille and I that we should not give up

hope, that he would file a legal com-

plaint with the Baltimore County Board

of Education to have us continue our

education in Baltimore County where

we lived.

He did file the complaint, and I can

recall when Mr. Thurgood Marshall

took Lucille and I by car all the way to

Towson where he spoke in the court-

house in our behalf. I don’t remember

everything that was said during the

court hearing, but I do recall hearing

them repeat what the school superinten-

dent said about us only having babies

by the time we were fourteen or fifteen

years of age. You could hear all of the

whispering in the courthouse, and the

eyes of all of the White people in the

courthouse were always on Lucille and

I. No one ever said anything out of the

way to us, nothing nasty. However,

though he really tried to convince the

court that we were being denied our

right to an education, he lost his case

because Lucille and I were Black. That

is when my uncle, Walter Phillip, came

in to help my father get me into school

beyond the seventh grade. I guess my

father could have enrolled me in Booker

T. Washington Junior High School and

Douglass High School, the only Black

schools in Baltimore, but he was deter-

mined to get the best school for me to

attend. I really did enjoy my years at St.

Francis Academy in Baltimore.

Getting to St. Frances Academy in East

Baltimore was just as tiring as getting to

Booker T. Washington Junior High

School or Douglass High School in

West Baltimore. I was fortunate in that I

did not have to take the trolley every

day from Arbutus. My father drove a

truck, and he would take me to Freder-

ick Avenue every morning to catch the

Number 8 trolley. I remember that I was

able to get all the way in to St. Frances

Academy. On my return home each day,

I would again catch the Number 8 trol-

ley that took me to the loop at Frederick

Road and Paradise Avenue, where my

Margaret Williams as a young girl

residing in Cowdensville,

Arbutus, MD in the 1930s

Issue 16


Louis Diggs

George Harris was injured while in battle on July 30, 1864 during a noted battle against the Confederate Army in Peters-burg, Virginia where the Union Army ex-ploded a mine beneath a hill occupied by the Confederate Army with hopes of de-stroying many of the enemy. This signifi-cant battle was called “The Crater.” Be-cause of the explosion, George Harris was injured in his eye, which caused his dis-charge from the military in December 1864. He eventually returned to the Win-ters Lane community with his wife. After his death, his wife, in 1911, was success-ful in securing a $20.00 a month pension

from her husband’s injury.

The second person is also a former slave from the historic African American com-munity of Bond Avenue in Reisterstown. His name was Augustus Walley, who, after slavery ended and was a free per-son, joined the 10th Calvary, known as “The Buffalo Soldiers.” After spending more than thirty (30) years in the military, he finally retired and spent the rest of his life residing on Etting Street in Baltimore

City.

Augustus Walley, who is not only a true Hero, who showed his heroism in the Western Frontier, but in the Spanish American War as well. He won the highly coveted Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism on the Western Frontier, but was considered for such an honor during the Spanish American War. He served as the First Sergeant of his Troop. Unbe-knownst to his family, when he was laid to rest in St. Stephen’s UM Church on Bond Avenue, his headstone did not acknowl-edge that he was a Medal of Honor recipi-ent, and in early 2000, this mistake was corrected by the military, and today the proper headstone for a Medal of Honor recipient is placed on his gravesite. Street

and Cockey Mill Drive in Reisterstown.

With the War in the Middle East still on-going for the past 10+ years, and many of American men and women continually being placed in harm’s way, it is felt that the 16th Baltimore County African Ameri-can Cultural Festival should dedicate a portion of it’s annual Souvenir Booklet to bring the attention of several African American men who were either born in Baltimore County, or who reside or have resided in Baltimore County, who dedi-cated their lives to doing their share in ensuring that America will always be safe by putting their well being or lives on the line for their country. Several of these men that will be written about have come from slavery in Baltimore County, and all of them suffered the injustices and preju-dices they experienced while serving in the segregated military of their country,

from the Civil War to the Korean War.

The men that are written about were recognized and honored at the Opening Ceremony of the Cultural Festi-val. Standing in for George Harris from the Civil War was George Gross, an edu-cator from Coppin State College, whose family came from Harristown. Standing in for Augustus Walley from the Indian War and the Spanish American War was his great niece, Betty Stokes from the Balti-more Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers. Standing in for Wilbert Reed Washington from World War I was his niece, Shirley Washington Diggs. Because Louis S. Diggs from the Korean War was away taking festival visitors on a bus tour through several of the historic African American communities and sites, his

grand-son, Grant Diggs, stood in for him.

The first person is George Harris, a for-mer slave from the historic African Ameri-can community of Winters Lane in the Catonsville area. He was born a slave in the 1820s in a small community of slaves, and later, freed slaves in the Northern portion of Winters Lane called “Harristown.” It is not sure when George

Harris was given his freedom, but it was before the beginning of the Civil War, because his official military records note that he was a free person when he joined one of the six (6) Regiments of United States Colored Troops (USCT) that were formed in the State of Maryland during the Civil War. He was 39 years of age when he enlisted in the 39th Regiment Infantry, U.S. Colored Troops, Maryland Volun-teers on March 31, 186 (the year on his official military record did not clearly show the year that he enlisted), for a period of three (3) years. I am quite sure that the year was 1864, which was during the time when the 39th Regiment was recruiting African American men in Baltimore, Mary-land. His occupation was listed as a

farmer.

The military probably saw leadership in George Harris because he was appointed a Sergeant on the very day he enlisted. He served with both free African Ameri-cans as well as slaves, including several of his neighbors from the Winters Lane area, to include: Richard Bacon from Catonsville, a free person; Benjamin Banks, a slave from Harrisonville who was manumitted while in service; Jacob Banks, also a slave from Harrisonville whose record does not reveal that he was manumitted, and his father resided in Randallstown; Peter Banks, a former slave who was manumitted while in ser-vice; John H. Edwards, a former slave from Sweet Air, who was manumitted while in service; Silas Howard, a former slave from Reisterstown, who was manu-mitted while in service; John Henry Nicholson from Green Spring Valley, a free person; Joseph Robinson, a slave from Pikesville, whose record does not reflect is he was manumitted; John Tucker from Pikesville, whose record only indi-cate that he died while in service; Charles Wheeler, a free person from Towsontown, and Charles H. Winchester, a former slave from Lauraville who was manumit-ted while in service, to name just a few of

his fellow African Americans.

Honoring Several African American Veterans

from Baltimore County Who Fought in the Segregated

Military from the Civil War to the Korean War

Issue 16

can American Army Air Force Group. Dr. Byron served in North Africa and Italy with the Air Force group known as the “Red Tails,” which escorted bomber plans. His unit is known as “The Tuskegee Air-

men”.

He returned home in 1945 he married and had two sons. He completed his educa-tion at Morgan, New York University and

Temple University.

Dr. Byron spent many years in education, including 23 years at Coppin University and at the Community College of Balti-more City from 1976 to 1985. He resides

in his home in Randallstown.

Right is Dr. Cyril Byron, a living WWII Vet and Louis S. Diggs, a living Korean War Veteran, making a presentation At the Woodlawn Sen-

ior Center in early 2000

The sixth person is William “Bubby” Foreman from the historic African Ameri-can community of Winters Lane in Catonsville. When World War II began, Mr. Foreman was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps. His initial assignment was at Montfort Point, NC. He was eventually transferred to the 21st Marine Depot Com-pany in Hawaii. He remained in the Pa-cific for the next twenty-six months. In 1946, his military service came to an end. He is a member of one of the chapters of the “Montfort Point Marines,” the first African American fighting units in the Marine Corps. He spends much of his time going throughout the country sharing the history of the African American men who were part of the “Montfort Point Ma-

rines.” continued on next page

Also, the State of Maryland acknowledg-ing this true hero, by placing a large bronze plaque honoring him on the corner of Main Street and Cockey Mill Drive in

Reisterstown.

Photo of Buffalo Soldiers on the Western

Frontier. Augustus Walley is on the back

Row, right side, with the bandana on his neck

The third person is Wilbert Reed Washing-ton, who was born and reared in the historic African American community of Winters Lane in Catonsville. He was born in the late 1800s when his parents were residing at their home, 81 Winters Lane. Wilbert Washington left his home as a very young man, relocating to Atlantic City where many of his extended family resided. From there he joined the US Army during World War I and was sent to France where he served his country well. While serving in one of the Infantry units, he was awarded the Purple Heart. After being discharged he never returned to the Winters Lane area to live, but spent the rest of his life residing in New York City where he retired from the US Postal Service. Wilbert Washington was another true hero.

Mrs. Mary Washington with Several of her

sons, top L Is Delano, WWII, Rufus, WWII,

Elehana and Wilbert WWI

Wilbert Reed Washington with his sister,

Mary Washington Adams

The fourth person is Hilton Smith Diggs who was born in the historic African American community of Piney Grove, in Boring, just a mile or so off of Hanover Pike, north of Reisterstown. He was born in the 1800s, never married and had no children. He was drafted during World War I, and sent to France. After the war he contemplated strongly to remain in France, but his sisters wrote to him, urg-ing him to return to Baltimore. He took their advice and returned home in 1920. While hopping on a train that passed Piney Grove UM Church to join his family, while trying to jump off the train, he

slipped and was killed.

Hilton Smith Diggs

The fifth person is Dr. Cyril O. Bryon who was born in the Bronx, New York on April 15, 1920. He was drafted in the US Army in early 1940s while studying at Morgan State University and assigned to the 99th Fighter Squadron in Tuskegee, Alabama in 1942. This was the first Afri-


for the Korean War. He is currently work-

ing on Book #10 and 11.

William “Bubby” Foreman, a living

WWII “Montfort Point Marine”

The seventh and final person is Louis S. Diggs, who was born in Baltimore, Mary-land in 1932, and has been a resident of the historic African American community of Winters Lane in Catonsville and Owings Mills since 1954. When the Ko-rean War started in June 1950, he quit school at Douglass High School in Balti-more and joined the all-African American National Guard unit, the 231st Transporta-tion Truck Battalion and found himself in Korea before 1950 came to an end. Most people thought the military was integrated

right after the end of World War II, but when the Korean War started, that was far from the truth. Actual full integration of the military did not come to a true end until mid-1951. After serving his country in Korea until 1952, Louis Diggs re-enlisted in the Regular Army where he

remained until his retirement in1970.

Since full retirement, which included a nineteen-year career in Civil Service, in 1989, he has researched and docu-mented the never before known history of African American life and communities in Baltimore County, publishing eight books. He also published a book on the 231st Transportation Truck Battalion, whose roots went back to 1872. This was the only all-African American unit in the Mary-land National Guard when they were accepted into the Guard in 1882 as a “Separate Company,” and as such was ordered to active duty during the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, and as noted was the only Maryland Na-tional Guard unit ordered to active duty

Honoring Several African American Veterans, cont’d.

Issue 16

Page 25

Issue 16

Issue 16

The Children’s Champion Zone is designed

to engage children in mental and physical

enrichment activity to promote self-esteem.

Activities in the Children’s Champion Zone

include: Face Artistry, Balloon Thrusting, A

Fitness Class, Arts and Crafts, a Magic

Show, a Rock Climbing Wall, A Fire Truck,

the Parentmobile, Moonbounce

and so much more.

Children’s Champion Zone

Health & Wellness Visit the Health & Wellness tent area on Pennsylvania

Avenue - LOT across from the Historic Courthouse;

and receive information about maintaining your good

health from the Baltimore County Health Department,

HMJ Health Management Company, LLC,. and

University of Maryland Office of Community Affairs.

Health Screening available. Join the fitness fun: FREE

Zumba and Line Dancing Classes!

Financial Workshops

Will be held in the

County Office Building located at:

111 Chesapeake Avenue

Towson MD 21204

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Sponsored by:

Baltimore County Planning Office Bureau of

Community Conservation.

The Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival’s

Hero/Shero Awards

We Salute You!

Lieutenant Colonel, Taunya PierceTaunya PierceTaunya Pierce, United States Air

Force

Tech Sergeant, Evette T. ChapmanEvette T. ChapmanEvette T. Chapman, United States Air

Force

Sergeant Angelus JohnsonAngelus JohnsonAngelus Johnson, United States Marine

Corps

Staff Sergeant Derrick Leon CamperDerrick Leon CamperDerrick Leon Camper, United States

Air Force

Warrant Officer, Richard HardenRichard HardenRichard Harden, United States

Army

This award is given to you for your exceptional and

heroic service to our country ensuring us of our con-

Please join us

Ceremony begins at 3:00 p.m.- Main Stage Plaza

Issue 16

10:30 a.m. - Boys Choir of Powhatan

11:00 a.m. - Zumba Revelation

Calling 1000 Zumba and Fitness Participants

11:45 a.m. - OPENING CEREMONY

12:00 p.m. - Milford Mill High School Gospel Choir

1:10 p.m. - Sterling Silver - Jazz

1:55 p.m. - Project the Natural Hair Runway

(Natural Hair Fashion Show)

2:30 p.m. - Purple Honey - R&B/Neo Soul

3:00 p.m. - Sponsors Recognition,

Scholarship Presentation,

Winner of Heroes and Sheroes Contest

16th Baltimore County African American Women Honored

3:30 p.m. - Winner of the Baltimore County’s Got Talent Contest

- Winner of the Baltimore County Idol Contest

4:00 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.

PIECES of a DREAM

5:00 p.m.

KINDRED THE FAMILY SOUL

11:30 a.m. - Boy’s Choir of Powhatan

12:00 p.m. - N-Ferno Dancers

12:30 p.m. - Baltimore County’s Got Talent Finals

1:00 p.m. - Baltimore County Idol Finals

1:40 p.m. - Jazz Loren

1:50 p.m. - Julz P

2:00 p.m. - Ryan Jackson

2:30 p.m. - Studio A Dancers

3:00 p.m. - The Next Level Band

3:30 p.m. - Basheri Asad

4:10 p.m. - Or Questa Melao Band

12:30 p.m. - Union Crew Line Dancers and Friends

1:00 p.m. - Greek Step Show

2:00 p.m. - Beans -N-Franks (Children’s Entertainment)

3:00 p.m. - Natural Hair Demonstrations

Stage 3 - Chesapeake Avenue

Stage 2 - Pennsylvania Avenue @ Washington Avenue

Entertainment Main Stage - Patriots Plaza

Power Stage 10:00-10:15 - Prayer 10:15-11:10---DJ

*Intro of Morning Hostess: Civil Jones

11:10-11:30 - Rebecca Depree - 11:30-11:45 - Que

11:45-12:00 - DJ - 12:00-12:45 - Lenny Kourlou and The Reggae Allstarts

12:50-1:15 - Terrell -1:15-1:30 - Ama Chandra

1:30-1:45 - Spyder Msterious -1:45-2:00 - DJ

2:00-2:30-- Rose Breyae - 2:30-2:40 - Larie

2:40-2:55---Semi The Poet - Break

3:15-3:30--DJ - 3:30-3:45 -Erika "LovE" Hansford

3:45—4:00 - MFree

*Intro of Afternoon Hostess: Mykel Hunter

4:00-4:30---------------MU WET

4:30-5:00----------------Mercury Movement Band featuring MochaSoule


Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Aunt Iffy Tierre Tates – The National Ovarian Can-cer Coalition 100 Black Men Coalition Cuties On Duty LLC Kris Head Paulette Privott – bmorebeadz The Kiddie Party People

Denita Wallace

Anderson peoples

Couture 2 Jewelry

BAMI Products

Denita Evans

Aunt Iffy

Denita Wallace

Anderson peoples

Couture 2 Jewelry

BAMI Products

Denita Evans

Aunt Iffy

H.T. Mallory - Upholding Ministries Lawrence Saunders Life Bridge HealthCare Lisa Woods - Reginald F. Lewis Museum Llauryn Inglehart - Howard Patapsco Chapter Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund Michael Mioduszewski - Baltimore County Democratic Party Michele Petras - Western School of Tech-nology Montgomery Police Department Nikki Harris - HGE Designs Patrick Payne - Infinite Vinyl Raynell McCray - MAIF Shirley Chase - Dept of Human Services The Harbor Bank of Maryland Valerie Handy Valerie Miller - Glamorous Things Sisters Network, Inc. Baltimore Metropoli-tan Chapter. Brian C. Morrison - BCABSE Calvin T. Robinson - HSSFF, Inc. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Chevelle Bash - Diamond Plan Coventry Health Christense Financial Diamond Plan from Coventry Diane Norfleet - Janice Salaam

The Honorable Dutch Ruppersberger Eastern Savings Bank P-B Health Home Care Agency, Inc Sean Marie – Project The Natural Hair Runway Tanya Browm – Traic Lynn Fashion Jew-elry Nathaya mia Lee Scott Phree - Project The Natural Hair Runway Kathy Cissokho Calvin T. Robinson – Director of Home Safety & Security for Families Foundation Howard County Health Department Joseph Koenig Grateful Deli & Catering KMS Elite Scholars Western School of Technology Sojourner Douglass Jacqueline Murphy – Smokie Joe John Mellow – Civic Works David Resnick – Elite Driving School Gladys Wade Bragg - Specialty Marketing and Printing Baltimore County States Attorney Office Lisa Nesmith - Lisa Loves Shoes Genevia Jackson - Purnell The Jewelry Gardens Baltimore County Alumnae Chapter Delta

Vendors

Baltimore County Police Department

Baltimore County Public Works

- Baltimore County Bureau of Solid Waste Management;

Baltimore County Bureau of Highways

Baltimore County Sheriff’s Office

MD Insurance Administration

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Senior Life Insurance Company

HMJ Health Management Company, LLC

Baltimore County Department of Aging

Baltimore County Department of Health & Human Services

- ACCU (MA for Families) & MCHP - (Maryland Children’s Health

Program) Cancer Program

Center- Based Services (Dental, Family Planning, STDs) Child Passen-

ger Safety / Car Seat Safety

Ethnic and Minority Outreach; HIV / AIDS Prevention; Immunization

Action Program; Love Your Heart Project; WIC and Substance Abuse /

Tobacco

Baltimore County Human Relations Commission

Baltimore County Fire Department

Baltimore County Office of Human Resources

Baltimore County Public Schools Office of Human Resources

Baltimore County Department of Planning - Neighborhood Improvement

Baltimore County Police - Youth & Community Resources

Baltimore County Public Library


Agencies/Informational Booths

Issue 16

Maps - Restrooms located 111 Chesapeake Avenue inside County Building

(near Historical Tent Area) - SPOT - A - POTS available.

An Extra Special Thanks

to

Concentric Sound

DC - Nadia Group, LLC

E-Media Group, LLC

The Baltimore County Office

of Recreation and Parks

Zumba Maisha

For their significant contributions to the success of the 16th Annual Balti-

more County African

American Cultural Festival 2012!


Montgomery County Department of Police

100 Edison Park Drive, 3rd floor

ATTN: Recruitment

Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878

(240) 773-5310

www.mymcpnews.com

The Montgomery County Police Department is currently

hiring entry level police officers. Starting salary is $46, 972.

No experience is necessary, but the following minimum

requirements must be met: Applicants must have at least 60

college credits (90 college quarter hour credits), be at least 21

years old by completion of police academy, possess a valid

driver’s license, be a US citizen, and be able to pass our

background inves t iga tion . Apply onl ine a t

www.mymcpnews.com.

Mr. Wendell David Hairston Sr.

July 14, 1951 - July 16, 2011

Concentric Sound LLC is proud to celebrate the life of Mr.

Wendell David Hairston Sr. by recognizing his commitment to

enhancing the lives of thousands of youths through teaching

music and mentoring future sound engineers.

http://www.mymcpnews.com/

http://www.mymcpnews.com/

Issue 16

Special Recognition and Appreciation

Baltimore County Executive Office

Baltimore County Department of Aging

Baltimore County Office of Budget & Finance

Baltimore County Office of Property Management

Baltimore County Board of Education

Baltimore County DEPRM

Baltimore County Office of Communications

Baltimore County Fire Department

Baltimore County Health Department

Baltimore County Information & Technology

Baltimore County Planning Office

Baltimore County Police Department


Baltimore County Department of Public Works

Baltimore County Recreations & Parks

Baltimore County Revenue Authority

Baltimore County Sheriff’s Office

Baltimore County Circuit Court

Law Offices of Peter Angelos

Artemis Properties

Mid-Atlantic Management

Calvary Baptist Church

Baltimore County Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Baltimore Metro Chapter of National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc.

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