2 years ago
356
By Rex Richardson,
Contributing writer
“I’ve learned that radical volition hide what you said, radical volition hide what you did,” according to a well-known saying, “but radical volition ne'er hide however you made them feel.”
As I bespeak connected this almighty adage, I tin deliberation of fewer radical who embody this sentiment amended than Mother Doris Topsy-Elvord.
I met Mother Doris erstwhile I was a 26-year-old main of unit to Ninth District Councilmember Steven Neal. She was incredibly generous with anyone who wanted to lend successful work to the city. As a caller staffer, it was my occupation to get up to speed, reasonably quickly, connected the City Hall scenery and history.
District 9 Councilman and Vice Mayor Rex RichardsonIt wasn’t agelong earlier I recovered myself successful Doris Topsy-Elvord’s surviving room, sitting connected her couch, surrounded by Long Beach photos and memorabilia, learning first-hand from a surviving legend.
Mother Doris shared stories of her experiences arsenic the archetypal African American pistillate to service connected the Long Beach City Council, alongside a formed of all-male counterparts and Mayor Beverly O’Neill. She talked astir her tactics connected ways to determination the needle guardant to physique statement with her peers.
“You tin get thing done,” she said, “if you don’t attraction who gets the glory.”
Indeed, Mother Doris got a batch done.
She earned the enactment of her peers to beryllium elected vice mayor, doubly — a favoritism lone held by fewer successful caller history. She was the city’s archetypal African American harbor commissioner, wherever she championed the Small Business Enterprise program, expanding opportunities for women and minority-owned section businesses. She besides established the Atlantic Community Economic Development Corp., the Long Beach Midnight Basketball League, and co-founded the African American Heritage Society with Indira Hale Tucker.
Hearing Mother Doris’ stories made maine consciousness some welcomed and inspired. It was a genuinely peculiar acquisition that I volition ne'er forget.
Mother Doris maintained her excitement and involvement successful immoderate was happening successful the city. She was a cheerful helper, ever acceptable and consenting to lend a manus oregon marque a telephone telephone to “put successful a bully word” to assistance others win successful their goals.
This summer, I was honored to articulation her closest household and friends to dedicate the caller Doris Topsy-Elvord Community Center astatine Houghton Park, successful designation of the contributions and bequest of this unthinkable trailblazer and successful grant of her 90th birthday.
As 1 of lone 4 determination parks wrong our metropolis and location to caller health, younker and workforce facilities with the intent of genuinely improving the lives of younker and families, this was a fitting tribute — embodying Mother Doris’ bequest of work successful Long Beach.
To beryllium connected manus and witnesser Mother Doris relishing that endearing moment, being showered with flowers and recognition, and blowing kisses to each those astir her, was a breathtaking and gratifying experience. Mother Doris made truthful galore radical consciousness invited and peculiar and, connected that day, we were capable to instrumentality the gesture.
I connection my idiosyncratic condolences and prayers to the family, friends and loved ones of Vice Mayor “Mother” Doris Topsy-Elvord connected the quality of her passing.
Rex Richardson is Long Beach’s vice politician and represents District 9 connected the City Council.
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