Betty Lindsay is this month’s local hero

    Theodore Stone, a block captain and community activist in Germantown, nominated Betty Lindsay for our Local Hero series.  Stone has been involved with the community for over 27 years and says that Lindsay is a prime example of positive community leadership.

    Every community has them — people who organize playground cleanups, run the soup kitchens, raise money to send neighborhood kids to college, cut grass for the entire block, organize youth sports leagues. Sometimes they are part of a volunteer organization, sometimes they act on their own. They do it because the community needs it and because they feel it’s the right thing to do.

    Theodore Stone, a block captain and community activist in Germantown, nominated Betty Lindsay for our Local Hero series.  Stone has been involved with the community for over 27 years and says that Lindsay is a prime example of positive community leadership.

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    “I have watched her help many of the youth in the area as well as seen the commit she has for getting people out to vote during elections. For 40 years Betty has made a solid impact. I couldn’t think of one person that would speak against the praise and recognition that she so rightfully deserves”, said Stone.

    We caught up with Lindsay at her church, the New Redeem Apostolic Church in Germantown.  As we arrived at the church we noticed a woman sweeping off the front steps.  Not surprisingly it was Betty Lindsay. She is a minister, a deaconess and a member of the choir and has been servicing the church for over 25 years.

    At the age of 70, Lindsay says she has no plans of slowing down the work she does in the community. She is a firm believer in the idea that neighbors need to be more engaged and involved with one another. She’s been a block captain on the 200 block of Shedaker Street for the past 18 years and has organized community programs at the John Wister playground for 9 years. Those programs include  community and youth gatherings.

    Lindsay is a familiar presence at neighborhood polling stations.  She is a committee person, judge of elections and majority investigator.  She encourages all of her neighbors to exercise their right to vote.

    Lindsay’s  involvement in the community stretches outside of Germantown. For 30 years, she has worked with the School Board, first as a volunteer and ultimately as an employee until her retirement in 2007. She expressed that working on the School Board was very dear to her.

    Although she is facing some health challenges Lindsay will continue to be involved with community service.  She says she will not stop working for the community “until God retires” her.

    Do you know Betty Lindsay? Has she made a difference in your community? Leave a comment on this story; Let us know what you think.

    Nominate a local hero

    NewsWorks wants to help recognize the individuals who make our communities work. Tell us about a local hero in your community.

    Include:

    • YOUR NAME

    • WHERE YOU LIVE/YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

    • NAME OF YOUR LOCAL HERO AND THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD (OR THE COMMUNITY THEY WORK WITH)

    • WHY YOU ARE NOMINATING THEM

    • CONTACT INFORMATION FOR YOUR LOCAL HERO

    Email your nomination to Jeanette Woods at  jwoods@whyy.org, with “Local Hero” in the subject line.

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