Introducing the Legends of 2015
The Board selected seven of our extraordinary nominees as Living Legends of Alexandria for 2015. We are proud to introduce:
Kathleen Baker, artist, educator and advocate, began with acclaimed one-woman shows illuminating early American women and went on to found the professional company, Opera Americana. Her unique teaching approach in the music classroom inspired student-created multidisciplinary operas. She led expansion of the Sister Cities program to Caen, France, and helped create the Arts Forum.
Marga Fripp, founder and “Chief Visionary” behind Alexandria-based Empowered Women International, marks thirteen years of service to over 3,000 immigrant, low-income, and minority women. This unique, full-service nonprofit has empowered many with the tools and support to become successful entrepreneurs and contributing citizens on the road to The American Dream.
Alice Morgan initiated Alexandria’s Martin Luther King Memorial Service and chaired the program for 34 of the next 35 years. She was the first woman and first African American woman to be appointed to the Planning Commission, and was the first African American woman to run for City Council.
Fred Parker and his late brother Jim took a chance on a dilapidated building on upper King Street for their first Hard Times Café chili parlor. The pioneering chili slinger paved the way for an array of restaurants, shops and hotels near the King Street Metro Station that have revitalized the neighborhood and made it a thriving destination.
Joyce Rawlings’ service to Alexandria connects children, youth and parents with schools and services, with a particular emphasis on assisting minority and immigrant families. Often among those who started Alexandria programs, Rawlings advocated for and helped create Family Resource Learning Centers — precursors of Alexandria’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) centers.
Gayle Reuter was instrumental in turning the Del Ray neighborhood into the place “Where Main Street Still Exists.” Today she continues to be a driving force in the Del Ray Halloween Parade, Art on the Avenue, Turkey Trot and the many other Del Ray events she helped create and the neighborhood is now known for.
Nina Tisara opened her family-operated photography studio in the King Street Metro area in 1990 and became known for her artistic and sensitive portrayal of Alexandria people and events. Her community connections and extensive photographic archives led to the creation of Living Legends of Alexandria, the not-for-profit photo-documentary project that identifies, honors and chronicles Alexandria’s recent history makers.