User talk:Wikidsister

Ruth Rand Webster
Ruth Rand Webster was my grandmother who lived from 1909 to 2000. She died at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, DC, from heart failure. My grandmother was 3rd generation Washingtonian. She was the mother of 14 children and a grandmother to 34 grandchildren. Today her name can be seen on the Historical Trail sign at 14th and Monroe as one of the greatest community leaders from Columbia Heights. Before her death, she was referred to by many as the former Executive Director of CHANGE INC.,. When she was active in her career she fought for many rights for the citizens of Columbia Heights. She helped save many homes, including her own home from being sold by the government to make room for the metro. The plans would have wiped out a lot of the houses close to the 14th Street corridor. She and others fought until it was agreed to go around the corridor instead of going straight through. Thanks to her untiring efforts the citizens of Columbia Heights were able to get a Giant Food Store, Upper Cardozo Health Center and the beginning of Urban Village that today has 72 apartments. Ruth Webster helped the community in the 70s to get these things going. Although, the Giant Food Store has moved to another location and in its place is a hi-rise apartment building, the long time citizens of Columbia Heights and even some of the workers at the new Giant at 14th Park Road, can remember when we had no grocery store in the area for many years after the riots burned down many business. I remember the picture that was taken with my grandmother, in her 2 piece suit, at the ground breaking ceremony; she had her hard hat on and shovel in hand. She was very proud of that accomplishment. I remember how happy she was in the picture.

Columbia Heights is a new name for folks like me and my grandmother. In the 60s, 70s and 80s, it was mostly referred to as Upper Cardozo. In the late 60s Ruth Webster wanted to get involved in helping the community. She was always interested in politics. After the riots of 1968 my grandmother wanted to get involved with the healing process of the community. She later was determined to become part of the "War on Poverty" campaign that was inspired by the Johnson administration. Thus a local organization was formed called C.H.A.N.G.E. INC., it stood for Cardozo Heights Association for Neighborhood Growth and Enrichment. She decided to petition for the top position, after the executive director resigned, and got the job.

This only a taste of what my grandmother means to me. She wore many hats and had lots of titles being the family matriarch.