Our Legacy:Sally Bean's history of commitment

It is not often that you meet one who has spent a lifetime in one community committed to the survival of one community and most importantly the survival of the children living in that community. We shall call her the "Mother of the Village."

It was the late 1960's after the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated and our whole world turned upside down. It was after calm and peace were restored to America's burning cities, when the U.S. government had come to terms with the civil rights movement that our communities began the restoration and revival.

It was during this period that the mayor of Annapolis, Roger "Pip" Moyer, directed his friend, Joseph "Zastrow" Simms, to open the doors of the old Stanton Colored School, being used as a warehouse, to become once again a community center. Working hand and hand with Zastrow were Pat Tiggs, Marguerite Darden, Carolyn Butler, Pam Conway and the woman who still makes her way to the Stanton Center each day, committed to her job, Sally Bean.

According to Zastrow, Miss Sally has always been the backbone of the Stanton Center, keeping everyone in check - especially Zastrow with his get-up and go, and his sheer determination to see to it that the youth in the Clay Street area were exposed to much, much more than Annapolis. It was Miss Sally who knew the entire community, the families, the children and how to keep them entertained. Known for the bus trips to New York, Washington and numerous sites for the entertainment of the youth, it was Miss Sally who would listen to Zastrow's wild ideas at 3 in the morning, trying desperately to keep his feet on the ground. They both loved and lived for the children.

It was Miss Sally who would brave a trip with 13 busloads of children with the assistance of other chaperones and women from the YWCA. It was Miss Sally who was the only one who knew, besides Zastrow, of course, who was the risk taker, that they were going to Madison Square Garden to a game without any tickets at all. Her love for the children in the "Old 4th Ward" led her to create the "Friends of the Stanton School" (no association to the current organization) many years ago to raise funds, create a pool of volunteers and chaperones, and to provide total support to a community program without total dependence from the government for funds or direction as to how the children in her village should be raised.

Everyone speaks of her with love and pride. Zastrow says, "I could not have done without her; she was fit for the job, she stood for what was right, she stood for the children and has always been dedicated and committed."

Shirley Wells, a friend as well as an employee of the Stanton Community Center, says the same about her commitment. Shirley says, "The Stanton Community Center is just like home for Sally. She has been here from the beginning. She loves the children and will do whatever is necessary to see that they have what they need not only in the center but in their lives." Shirley recalls a time when a young lady from the community had to travel as a part of a program that she was selected for and she and Sally made sure that this young lady had the necessary clothing to feel good about herself during this very important opportunity.

Miss Sally is also associated with the Pride of Annapolis Temple 76 of the Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World, IBPOEofW. Through this organization she continues her commitment to the community and the youth after the doors of the Stanton Community Center are closed.

Miss Sally is a trustee of the Pride of Annapolis Temple at Northwest Street; she is the Senior Mother of the Junior and Juvenile Eagles #288, the youth organization for whom she leads a Prayer Breakfast each December to support this group. This breakfast has been supporting the Eagles for 17 years. Miss Sally is a member of the Tri State Association Goodwill Department, a member of the Elizabeth A. Carter, Past Daughters Rulers Council as well as a trustee, a lieutenant colonel in the Antler Guard Department and the Antler Guard Showcase of Elk Dom - the marching section - and has achieved the highest level of leadership as a Past Grand Daughter Ruler of her temple. Miss Sally's honors where received through the Shrine Department. If she does not have enough to do, she is also a member of the Cook-Pinkney American Legion Post 141 at Forest Drive, Annapolis.

Wow! We need to thank Miss Sally for a love for the children so thick, a commitment so strong, and a personality so warm. Her friend Inez, who is also a member of Pride of Annapolis Temple 76, says of Miss Sally, "She is a beautiful person, always willing to help anyone."

Zastrow likens her to the biblical character Esther, "If I perish let me perish but the Stanton Center will be my Crown and Glory." Without ego, and many times without recognition, Miss Sally is the greatest example of true love that has never left this community.

We love you Miss Sally, thank you for your commitment!

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The columnist is a native of Annapolis and a recent recipient of R.E.S.P.E.C.T, Inc., Co-Chairpersons Award for "Outstanding Community Leadership and significant contributions to community development, coalition building and organizational unity." E-mail: Ourlocallegacy@aol.com