Many a celebration has made its mark inside the upscale Camelot of Upper Marlboro. But on a particularly special night in May, the Mission of Love Charities drew a gathering that paid homage to the late Maryland Senator and civil rights activist Gwendolyn T. Britt.
The senator was elected to office in 2003 and served until 2008 on several public health, education and civil rights task forces and committees. The Mission of Love honored her with the Decatur "Bucky" Trotter Humanitarian Award during its annual Lighting Pathways Dinner.
Photo: Maryland State Archives
The event doubled as a fundraiser to advance Mission of Love’s work to benefit under-served residents of the county and surrounding communities. The evening brought in about $75,000 to further the organization’s goals.
Trotter, whom the award is named after, was also a Maryland state senator and co-founded the organization with Douglas Edwards, president and chief executive of the charity. Together the pair worked tirelessly to connect those in crisis with housing, food, clothing, and other crucial community resources.
The group felt it was fitting to honor Britt, who passed on January 12, for her body of work that championed civil rights and for her public service in Prince George's and throughout the state.
In a recent statement, Edwards said Britt found the path of service early in life at just age 18 after leaving high school to join the Freedom Riders.
"She has made an impact, through political leadership and advocacy, in areas such as mental health, education, and workforce development, and we are proud to honor her with the Trotter Humanitarian Award," he said.
The award was accepted by Britt's husband, Travis Trotter. Past Trotter award winners include Prince George's Council member Sam Dean, former Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, and Greta Trotter, for her late husband, Decatur "Bucky" Trotter.
During the event, Mission of Love also presented its Candle of Service Award to community activist Freddie Dawkins and to Sylvester Vaughns Sr., vice chair of the county planning board and past president of the county's chapter of the NAACP.
The charity said that for more than 38 years, Dawkins has been a champion for the underclass and disenfranchised members of Central Prince George's County. He is also co-founder of the Prince George's County Community Organizations and Community Development Corp., for which he served three terms as president.
Vaughns has had a long and active relationship with the NAACP. He directed the organization in successful lawsuits for desegregation of the public schools and against police misconduct.
Mission of Love is a nonprofit organization based in Capital Heights that was created to provide free programs and services to under-served residents of the county.
According to the organization, each year thousands of people from the D.C. metro area receive help from one or more of the charity's programs. Most adults are between the ages of 20 and 45 who support themselves and their family with incomes under $17,000 per year. Many are women with children who are unsupported in their transition from welfare-to-work.
For more information on Mission of Love's services, call 301-333-4440, or point your Web browser to www.molinc.org.
--PGS Staff
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