Petworth Pioneer Phyllis Young Honored This Arbor Day

The unexpectedly chilly spring weather didn’t stop members of the Xi Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority from coming out this past Arbor Day to celebrate one of their own.

In addition to family members, close friends and local community leaders, more than 25 Alpha Kappa Alpha sisters gathered on the front lawn of the MacFarland Middle School to remember the life of a true trailblazer — and fellow soror — who passed away last fall.

A native Washingtonian, Phyllis Etheridge Young was the youngest of three daughters born to the late Robert Bruce and Bessie Dixon Etheridge who became the first African American woman to lead a Federal Highway Administration State Office through her work at the U.S. Department of Transportation. But it was her tireless work as a civil rights and education activist — as well as her later work as an advocate for health and wellness within the community — that truly set Phyllis apart.

It’s for these reasons and more that Ms. Sherry Ways, Chair of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Arbor Day Committee, reached out to Casey Trees back in January to organize a special Tree Dedication on Ms. Young’s behalf. Thanks to Sherry — and all of the Xi Omega Chapter members — a beautiful crabapple tree now stands in front of MacFarland’s campus, bringing shade and life to both students and faculty.

The ceremony, which took place in the morning of April 28, was a testament to the many people whose lives were touched by Phyllis, bringing together a large group of family and friends, including Ward 4 Councilwoman Muriel Bowser, who spoke at the event.

If you’d like to dedicate a tree in honor of a loved one or special event, feel free to contact the Development Department at 202.833.9125 or by email at development@caseytrees.org.

Photos courtesy of SankofaStudio.

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