February 14, 2006- Norton mourns passing of Wilhelmina Rolark

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2006

NORTON MOURNS PASSING OF WILHELMINA ROLARK AND PRAISES HER LONG LASTING WORK AND INFLUENCE

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released the following statement upon learning of the passing of former Councilmember Wilhelmina Rolark.

“Former Councilmember Wilhelmina Rolark was an institution in this town all by herself. When she lost her husband and partner in marriage, journalism, business, politics, and charitable work, what they had built together was so solid that she never missed a beat. She and Calvin were never satisfied with their considerable achievements. They just kept on building. Besides Wilhelmina’s long and productive service as Ward 8 member of the Council, she has left us The WashingtonInformer that gives voice to Anacostia, the District and the region. Wilhelmina’s energy, enthusiasm, and accomplishments as a lawyer and citizen-activist were a constant source of inspiration to her beloved Ward 8 and to the District of Columbia. Her insistence that she who was last would someday be first, and her work to make this a goal, not a dream can be seen today in the extraordinary turnaround of the Ward she loved and led in preserving and refashioning.”