Paul Grant

Saturday, October 11, 2025

Penn Branch Community Association Post Office Box 6730, Washington, DC 20020

To: The Family of Alberta Paul

Alberta Paul was a tireless champion for our Penn Branch neighborhood, our greater Ward 7 community, and the District of Columbia.

Alberta served multiple terms as Treasurer and President of our Penn Branch Community Association. She was instrumental in reestablishing the association as a non-profit (501c3). She frequently advocated for legislation and greater support for neighborhood infrastructure improvements—such as the 1997 Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Emergency Act of 1997. This bill gave seed funding for the first geological survey of the crumbling O Street Wall. It was fully rehabilitated in 1998.  

For nearly 30 years, Alberta chaired our neighborhood public works committee. She raised funds and led numerous neighborhood beautification projects. In 2003, Alberta helped Penn Branch Community Association to gain conservatorship of the triangular gateway park at the intersection of O Street SE and 3200 block of Carpenter Street SE, along Penn Avenue. The pocket park had sat for years in disrepair. Penn Branch was awarded funding to improve the Gateway Park and it renamed 9/11 Memorial Park to commemorate District of Columbia residents who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001

The impact of her selfless advocacy is immeasurable. Alberta Paul has linked many of her neighbors, and other Ward 7 residents, with critical city services. Her passion for helping others–especially our seniors and youth will be sorely missed. 

On behalf of the current executive board, our current members and all surviving past presidents of the Penn Branch Community Association, we wish to extend to you our deepest condolences to the family of Alberta Paul. 

No councilmember, no ANC, no mayor has loved our neighborhood more. Our neighborhood and Ward 7 community is undoubtedly better because she has lived –and served among us.

Sincerely,

Paul V. Grant, President (2022-2026)