The Living Legends of Alexandria board of directors is pleased to announce the Legends of 2013: Willie Bailey, the team of Kathryn Brown and Marlin Lord, Rosa Byrd, the team of Elizabeth Chimento and Poul Hertel, Joseph Guiffre, Thomas "Jay" Johnson, Jr., David Martin, Richard Eugene Merritt, Joann Miller, Lonnie Rich, William "Bill" Rivers and Lewis Stearman. Watch for their feature stories and portraits in the months ahead. Meanwhile, here's a brief summary of their contributions.
Firefighter Willie Bailey decided to do something about the impact of poverty on kids by arranging to supply toys, coats and school supplies first in Fairfax County and now also in Alexandria.
The team of Kathryn Brown and Marlin Lord have contributed to Alexandria through their efforts in the Del Ray Artisans, the King Street Gardens Park Foundation and the Arts Forum.
Thanks to the leadership of Rosa Byrd, her Lynhaven neighborhood has turned from drug-infested to a vibrant, middle-class, diverse community.
Community activists Elizabeth Chimento and Poul Hertel were successful in their years-long lobbying efforts to close GenOn (formerly the Mirant Plant) in 2012.
Among many civic activities to benefit Alexandria, Joseph Guiffre headed up three special ad hoc efforts: a flood relief program called Operation Bailout, Zero Litter and Alexandrians for a Better Community.
Thomas “Jay" Johnson Jr.. entered Alexandria public safety in 1977 as a volunteer firefighter and advanced to lead to Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department as President for over three decades.
Since 1990, goldsmith David Martin has worked to help market Alexandria, promoting beautification projects and spearheading the campaign that led to banners on King Street.
Richard Eugene Merritt has been a community activist for over 10 years, most recently with leadership of the Public Health Advisory Commission and the Coalition for Clean and Smoke-Free Air.
Joann Miller exemplifies service to vulnerable women, children and the aged through her service on the Women's Commission, the Alexandria Community Services Board and Alexandria Commission on Aging.
Lawyer Lonnie Rich's service to the City began with his appointment to the Women's Commission in 1977 and continued to include stints on neighborhood associations, partisan groups, education task forces and his local church.
Through endless hard work and dedication, William "Bill" Rivers helped launch the new Miracle Baseball League program designed specifically for use by youths and adults with physical and metal disabilities.
Lewis Stearman was a founder of Senior Citizens Employment Service and the Alexandria Optimist Club. He's been active in the Boy's and Girl's club and tireless in bringing together persons of different faith groups.
The 2013 Legends will be honored at the "Meet The Legends" reception on Thursday, March 21 at the Patent & Trademark Office Madison Building.
Now in its sixth year, Living Legends of Alexandria is an ongoing not-for-profit photo-documentary project to identify, honor and chronicle people making current history in Alexandria. For additional information, see www.AlexandriaLegends.com or contact Nina Tisara, 703-625-2330.
