How did being born in the South influence your life today?
I was born in Mississippi and raised in Tennessee. I was greatly influenced by how African-Americans were treated in the South. It was during the time of intense discrimination in the South. For instance, African-Americans had to eat off of different dishes, sit in the rear of buses and enter from different doors. A lot of voices were not being heard. Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. stood up for the rights of people during that time. I feel like I'm standing up for the rights of people now.

Are things better today between people?
It is better but not as it is supposed to be. These days discrimination is more hidden, not in the open, but still present. We must organize to make discrimination known and then eliminate it. Power comes in numbers.

What brought you to Rogers Park?
I was living on the south-side of Chicago with my husband. After my husband passed, I moved to Rogers Park to live in my brother’s building.

What do you like and dislike about Rogers Park?
I like the diversity and the people here. I don’t like the gentrification and the condo conversions happening here. It is eliminating housing for low-income residents.

What is the typical type of person living in Section 8 Housing?
It is the single working mom or senior citizen on a fixed income having to choose between food and medications. It isn’t the drug addict.

How does Rogers Park Section 8 Tenant's Council organize and motivate tenants in Section 8 Housing?
We address daily problems such as: evictions, moving papers, repairs and social justice issues. We work with the Alderman and Rogers Park Community Action Network (RPCAN) to try to keep affordable housing in the neighborhood for your average working and low income person. I've been involved since 1997 first as a tenant after my husband died. I've been President of the Section 8 Tenants' Council since 2001. People come to me crying. Affordable housing for low-income folks is leaving the neighborhood. Some people are moving almost every couple of years due to condo conversions. I don’t think it’s fair.

What is your involvement with CAPS?
We work with CAPS to help prevent or reduce crime in tough buildings. On September 5, 2006 we met with Mayor Daley to talk about affordable housing and crime prevention.

Do you still have hope for affordable housing in Rogers Park?
I can see things get better. When someone comes to my office, I can help them and I can give them more hope.

Where can people find The RP Section 8 Tenants' Council office?
6928 N.Wayne. Our phone is (773) 764-2712. Office hours are M,W,F 10AM-2PM and then 2pm-6PM.