Viewing page 13 of 24

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

tioned and others once called Anacostia "home." Their example is a perpetual challenge. As the poet Longfellow has so aptly said,

"Lives of great men all remind us,
We can make our lives sublime, 
And in parting leave behind us, 
Footsteps on the sands of time."

Today's list of outstanding citizens of Anacostia is a Who's Who of which all America might be proud.

Prominent educators are Dr. Frederick D. Patterson, president of Tuskegee, the well-known Dr. Garnet C. Wilkinson, First Assistant Superintendent of Schools in the city of Washington and Mr. Frederick Wilkinson, Registrar of Howard University. These men once lived in this community. Mrs. Edna West Payton, principal of Francis Jr. High School also once lived in Anacostia. Her father was the first minister of Campbell Church and her brother, Dr. Harold D. West, Head of the Dept. of Biochemistry and Acting Chairman of Division of Pre-Clinical Sciences at Meharry Medical College is listed in American Men of Science and Who's Who in American Education. He is the author of many outstanding articles in Biological Chemistry.

Space does not permit us to list them any boys and girls who have finished Birney School and brought honor to her name. Many of these have received honors in every school which they attended. Typical of them is Miss Antoinette Simmons and Miss Odessa McKenzie. These young ladies along with Miss Enid Tucker, also a Birney Graduate, but not a resident of Anacostia, were valedictorians of Dunbar High School, class of '46. Miss Simmons, through a national competitive examination, was winner of the coveted Pepsi-Cola Scholarship and has won further honors too numerous to mention. Miss McKenzie has also won innumerable honors, among them a scholarship for study in Mexico City.

Many Birney graduates teach in Washington and other places throughout the United States. Many who are residents in Anacostia serve in every worthy field of endeavor. Representative of these is Miss Althea Howard, first Negro librarian in the public libraries of this city.

We are proud of the many business establishments owned and operated by Negroes. It is impossible to mention all of them, but among long time business is Mason's Undertaking Parlor, Hunter's Undertaking Parlor, Boyd's Variety Store and Coal and Ice Business, Dale's Market, Saunder's Barber Shop, Theordore's Barber Shop, Thelma's Coffee Shop, Lola Thomas Beauty Parlor, etc. We must not forget to mention the late Dr. Shipley, who for many years operated a drug store at the corner of Howard Rd. and Nicholas Ave., nor Mrs. Pearl Johnson, deceased, who for a long time owned and operated the Pearl Beauty Salon. We remember also Mr. and Mrs. John Williams, now retired, who for years ran a successful grocery business. In later years many new establishments have sprung up-The Yum Yum Shop, owned by the Bank boys. Giles and Williams Tailor Shop are representative of these. These businesses, new and old lend solidarity and substance to our community.

Among resident lawyers are the well-known Miss Ollie Cooper, Mr. James H. Raby, who is known for his consistent fight for civil rights for the Negro, and Mr. John H. Wilson recently resigned member of the Board of Education.

Ministering to the health of Anacostia citizens are Dr. Charles E. Qualls, pharmacist; Drs. J. Edwin Joyce, Luther Scott ond Theodore E. Corprew, physicians, and Dr. W.B. Tillis, dentist. Mrs. Florence Matthews has for many years served the community at the Barry Farms Recreation Center.

No community can prosper without the guidance of ministers who continuously work for its spiritual benefit. We pay homage to the Rev. Cornelius Dawson of St. Phillips; Rev. Henry C. Coleman of Macedonia; Rev. O'Leary of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rev. Benjamin Kirkland of Bethlehem; Rev. R.W. Hall of Matthews, and Rev. Everett Guiles of Campbell's and Rev. Bell of St. John's Church.

"The road will surer, straighter be Because O Lord, they serve and walk with Thee."

Many Americans of all races and creeds enjoy the monthly publication "Our World." Its editor, Mr. John Davis lived for many years at Cedar Hill. We are proud of Mr. Davis for publishing such an interesting and outstanding magazine. How many people who enjoy the Music of Claude Hopkins know that he too once lived in Anacostia.

Last, but by no means least are the civic workers who are ever alert for the betterment of this community and its citizens. Many old line settlers are still in the front, carrying the banner. Younger men march by their side, lending their brain and brawn to the never-ending fight for better facilities of every kind. Among these are:

Mr. Charles E. Howard, genius in real estate, consistent worker for better lights and streets, fifty year member of the Trustee Board of Campbell Church.

Mr. John H. Dale, group leader in Community Chest and Red Cross, fifty years active in Campbell's Church, diligent fraternal worker.

Mr. William Smoot, one time pupil of old Birney School, retired Post Office Employee, civic worker for many years.

Mr. Ulysses Banks, president of Barry Farms Civic Association, Architect of St. John's Church, long time active civic worker.

Mrs. Nellie Southall, secretary of the Hillsdale Civic Association, one time very active in the Birney P.T.A.

Mr. Harry E. Polk, president of the Birney P.T.A., Director of the Boy's Club.

To every honest citizen, to those who have been here for many generations, like the Pattersons, the Howards, the Dales, the Parks, the Banks, Rollins, Fryes, and others; to those who just came; to those who have gone on to wider fields of endeavors; to all whom we have mentioned and to the many whom space does not permit us to mention, Anacostia is proud of you. She salutes you. American is glad to call you citizen for you have shown your love for your community through service and sacrifice.

"Serve - a beautiful word, strong and sure.
Sacrifice - a noble word, proud and pure.
Community - a great word, green and growing.
Love - a holy word with Life overflowing.

PAGE 13