The Austin Green Team on Saturday hosted its annual heroes recognition at their memorial garden at Washington and Laramie. Six people were honored this year with the traditional inscribing of their names on bricks that are place in the garden walkway. Family members are invited to participate by installing the brick into the prepared slots.
“I want to thank everybody for coming here today to help us celebrate,” said Green Team President Mary Peery in her opening remarks.
This year’s honorees are:
Queen Tiner, long time block club leader and member of the South Austin Coalition Community Council advocating for seniors
Lonnie P. McClinton, activist in church, community and with the Austin Green Team
Susie MaGee, supporter of churches, block clubs, seniors, and organizing in Austin
Claudia Benford, South Austin Coalition organizer and leader; seniors advocate
Mary Wadlington, neighborhood block club and church leader in Austin
Georgia Clayton, long time community activist on all issues, especially in her white hard hat leading community protests for construction jobs.
George Lawson, vice president of the Green Team, once again presided over the morning ceremony, introducing the families and telling an interesting story about each person being honored. Each family member made remarks of gratitude and thanked the Austin Green Team for remembering their loved one.
Mary Peery summed up the ceremony, saying: “I welcome visits from previous honorees’ families. They are always in our hearts, and this memorial garden is always here for people to come and see. We are just a group of people who have been beautifying vacant lots in the Austin community, and we also have been training young people in the area to take up the mantle; we call them our ‘Little Sprouts.’ We always welcome newcomers and encourage community participation.”
