This month we continue with our profiles of Takoma's notable women. Some of them will be familiar names. You'll also find our suggestions for online streaming events below. And, as always, we invite you to explore our websiteatHistoricTakoma.org.
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Meet the women who helped shaped our city between 1930 and 1980. This honor roll offers short descriptions, but fuller details can be found at HistoricTakoma.org.
In 1934, Ruth Pratt decided that Takoma needed an independent library. For 40 years she led the effort to gather books, find a home for the collection, set up a library system, and garner financial support from residents and the City. Pratt shepherded the library through moves from its first days at 806 Jackson Avenue, to 201 Carroll and 8 Sherman Avenues before finally settling into its permanent home at Philadelphia and Maple Avenues. She retired in 1963.
Ruth Pratt’s chief ally was Cora Robertson, the first resident to suggest a town library. As chief volunteer, Robertson efficiently catalogued every incoming book for decades. Along with Pratt, she resisted all suggestions of merger into the County system. She died in 1960 and when Pratt retired three years later, an agreement was reached whereby the City took over the library and made it a City Department.
In 1940, Cynthia Warner moved her small private school in the Victorian house at 8114 Carroll Avenue. For 40 years its classical curriculum and racially diverse mix of students offered a unique student experience. Warner's retirement in 1981 led to financial problems that closed the beloved school. The original house was moved one lot south in 1991 to make way for a Seventh-day Adventist Church and is now a private residence.
Emily Monitor broke Takoma Park's political ceiling in 1956 as the first woman elected to City Council. She prevailed over John Roth by seven votes to claim one of two seats for Prince George’s County residents. Monitor served two terms, chairing the Council's Recreation Committee, before giving up her seat in 1960. Seven years later the City formally created a Recreation Department, headed by Belle Ziegler.
Single mom Belle Ziegler arrived here in 1956. Her city job overseeing playgrounds led to her role as first city Recreation Director, where she greatly expanded youth activities. In her spare time, she chaired the Independence Day Committee and was the spirit behind Takoma's Sister City cultural exchange program with Jequie, Brazil. After Ziegler's death in 2008, the park once named for Jequie was renamed to honor her.
Opal Daniels and her family moved to Sherman Avenue in 1946. Along with being a PTA and Girl Scout leader, she started a neighborhood Explorers Club for her son and his friends because the national Boy Scouts refused to approve their integrated Cub Scout troop. Daniels also worked with the County's Park and Planning Commission, spending 25 years advocating for better parks. After her death in 1983, neighbors pushed to rename the open space behind her house as Opal Daniels Park.
In 1956, Daniels teamed up with Ziegler, her newly-arrived Sherman Avenue neighbor, to recruit, cajole, corral, and entice every resident in the city to volunteer, especially any new family moving onto their block. Daniel’s daughter Kay Daniels-Cohen took up her mom’s role as community organizer and also served as Ward 3 Councilmember from 2011 until her untimely death in 2014.
Click HistoricTakoma.orgfor the full details on all these dynamic women along with some bonus profiles of women with connections to Takoma Park. Last month's collection of notable women from Takoma's early days can also be found under "Past Features."
Historic Takoma welcomes a new window from Takoma Artery. Head to TakomaArtery.com to make a direct purchase or browse all the artwork and support local arts.
The annual Maryland Day at the University of Maryland will be virtual this year. Events include lectures, music, and more about Maryland history, all streaming. Check out the schedule of events Here.
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How Domestic Slave Traders Shaped America
Tuesday, April 27, 2021 from 1-2 PM
The National Archives Foundation explores the forgotten story of America's internal slave trade and its role in the making of America. Presentation by historian Joshua D. Rothman, author of The Ledger and the Chain. Free. Register here.
Explore our online resources, including digital newspapers from 1894-1955. You'll find the index and access to the papers Here. Or, if you are curious about who built your house, you'll find step-by-step instructions for online searching, or contact Jim Douglas via Here.
