Category: Cemetery

Two Unlikely Activists Made History

Behind the scenes of the Alexandria Gazette Packet’s article on, “Two Unlikely Activists Made History”– dated May 30-June 5, 2019.

Can you a lone make a difference? Yes you can. Two women from two different backgrounds brought national attention to an unknown cemetery. Their community activism impacted thousands of descendants of the Alexandria’s Freedmen’s Cemetery.

Left to Right: Lillie Finkle, former, Mayor Euille and Louise Massoud

Without these ladies efforts, I would not have known about the Freedmen’s Cemetery. And, I would not have been able to make my contribution to the Freedmen’s project in locating the descendants. So I am indebted to Lillian Finkle and Louise Massoud for all their dedicated work for the Friends of the Freedmen Cemetery.

Check out the article on “Two Unlikely Activists Made History” – dated May 30 – June 5, 2019 in the Alexandria Gazette Packet on page 12 at http://connectionarchives.com/PDF/2019/052919/Alexandria.pdf. Also you can read behind the scene of this article on my blog at http://www.theotheralexandria.com.

Celebrating Family Traditions on Memorial Day

Alexandria Freedmen Cemetery at Washington and Church Street

Check out page 10 of the Alexandria Gazette Packet newspaper at http://connectionarchives.com/PDF/2018/052318/Alexandria.pdf my article on “Celebrating Family Traditions on Memorial Day.

Brenman Award Night

Char Bah and Lawrence Carter
Char Bah and Lawrence Carter
From left - Mumini, Char, Maimoona and Dwayne
From left – Mumini, Char, Maimoona and Dwayne
Reading of the Proclamation
Reading of the Proclamation

On October 22, I received the 2013 Alexandria, Virginia “Ben Brenman Archaeology Award”. The award was for my work on the Alexandria Freedmen Cemetery.

Language from the Proclamation
Language from the Proclamation

The Mayor of Alexandria and the Alexandria City Council provided the awardees with their “Proclamation” and a special design plaque from Archaeology.

Several people came out to support me including my husband, daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. McCrae, Mr. James E. Henson, Christa Wattres, Karen White, and Mr. Lawrence Carter.

I have provided pictures from the event that Mr. Lawrence Carter provided.

Winner of the 2013 “Ben Brenman Archaeology Award”

I am glad to share with you that I have been selected as one of the recipients of the 2013 Alexandria, Virginia “Ben Brenman Archaeology Awards”. This award is for my work on the Alexandria Freedmen Cemetery. I will be receiving this award on October 22, 2013, by the Mayor of Alexandria and the Alexandria City Council.

The award is not just about my work in finding descendants of the Alexandria Freedmen Cemetery, but it is about the descendants who allow me to research their families; and document their ancestors’ role in American History. For all of the descendants, I thank you for allowing me into your lives. I hope all of you will join me when I receive this award for all of us:

Date: October 22, 2013
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: City Council Chambers at City Hall
301 King Street, 2nd Floor
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
703-746-4399

This event is open to the public. I am inviting anyone who wants to attend. Thank you.

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