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Our Statement on the Life & Legacy of Alberta L. Paul

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Alberta Paul

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)

Current Board Members
Paul V. Grant, President
Natiya Curtis, 1st Vice President
Christopher D. Morgan, 2nd Vice President
Kerry Neal, Treasurer
Lori Palmer, Parliamentarian



Former PBCA Presidents
Stan Benton,
 Jacqueline Cannon,
Jimmie Williams,
Rhoma Battle,
Richard Hawkins,
Laura Richards
Wilford Gourdine,
Anita Hammond

RESOURCES FOR NEIGHBORS FACING EMPLOYMENT UNCERTAINTY

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Resources for Unemployed Neighbors

Your Penn Branch Community Association cares. Here is a list of Resources for Federal Employees, Contractors, and Others Facing Uncertainty

The Penn Branch Community is proud of its rich history as a home to many distinguished public servants. We stand with our neighbors and friends in these difficult times. We honor your service on behalf of our country and communities, and we are committed to supporting each other through these hardships and into a brighter future that delivers justice for all who have been harmed.

Please share additional recommended resources with k.anthony.murphy@gmail.com for potential inclusion in future updated resource guides. Please also share ideas for how Penn Branch can best support you or others who have been affected.

The resources below apply to anyone who faces job loss or uncertainty, regardless of whether they were employed by the Federal government.

Comprehensive Resource Sites

Unemployment Compensation

Workers should file for unemployment insurance in the jurisdiction of their last duty station (listed on final SF-50 form). For example, a DC resident who was terminated from a Federal job based at the Pentagon in Virginia should apply for unemployment benefits in Virginia. The links below provide more information.

Healthcare, Housing, Food, and Other Assistance

Federal Employee Rights, Resources, and Legal Action

Job Seeking

Sharing Your Stories

Federal News and Discussion Board

Penn Branch Launches Memorial Paver Campaign to Improve 9/11 Memorial Gateway Park

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9/1 Memorial Park Paver Campaign

Donate a paver in honor of your family, organization, or a beloved neighbor | LINK: Donate.Brickmarkers.com/pennbranchdc

Penn Branch Community Association is asking for your support to help us improve 9/11 Memorial Park. Our goal is to beautify this gateway to our neighborhood by covering the main surface area (along Carpenter Street SE) with personalize pavers that memorialize the many great families, elected servants, and organizations that has made this community great.

Donate a personalized paver in honor of your Penn Branch Family, Ward 7 organization, or a beloved neighbor.

Donate.Brickmarkers.com/pennbranchdc

#wearepennbranch#DC#campaign#SEDC

donate.brickmarkers.com/pennbranchdc

9/11 Memorial Gateway Park Paver Campaign (FY2025)

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9/1 Memorial Park Paver Campaign

PBCA has been working hard to renovate and improve our 9/11 Memorial Gateway Park. The ultimate goal is to greatly improve usability, access, and sustainable plan for water and erosion. We also want to make this pocket park a destination that tells the story of our great Penn Branch neighborhood and memorializes those D.C. residents who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on the September 11, 2001.

PBCA design plan for 9/11 Memorial Park

Penn Branch Community Association is asking for your support to help us improve 9/11 Memorial Park. Our goal is to beautify this gateway to our neighborhood by covering the main surface area (along Carpenter Street SE) with memorial pavers.

DONATE YOUR PAVER

Donate a personalized paver in honor of your Penn Branch Family, Ward 7 organization, or a beloved neighbor.

4″ x 8″ | $150.00
*3 lines personalized text
*Up to 20 characters per line

8″ x 8″ | $200.00
*For military service families, elected, public servants, and non-profits

*6 lines personalized text
Up to 20 characters per line

TO MAKE YOUR DONATION :
Donate.Brickmarkers.com/pennbranchdc

Donate.Brickmarkers.com/pennbranchdc

DC Residents who lost their lives on 9/11

  • David Charlebois Washington DC ,first Officer
  • Bernard Curtis Brown 11,student Leckie Elementary School
  • Sarah Clark 65,Columbia Md, sixth grade teacher ,Bertie Backus Middle School ,DC
  • Asia Cotton 11 student, Backus Middle School DC
  • James Debeuneure 58,Upper Marlboro MD fifth grade teacher, Ketcham Elementary School
  • Rodney Dickens11 student Ketcham Elementary School ,DC
  • James Joe Ferguson 39,Washington,education outreach director National Geographic Society
  • Ian Gray 55,Washington President of health care consulting firm
  • Karen A. Kincaid 40 attorney, Wiley Rein & Fielding ,DC
  • Hilda E. Taylor sixth grade teacher at Leckie Elementary School. DC
  • Carolyn B Halmon  49, Washington DC
  • Brenda Kegler 49 Washington, DC
  • Major Ronald D. Milam  33 Washington DC., US Army
  • Edna L Stephens 53,Washington DC
  • Johnnie Doctor, Jr., Washington DC
  • Paul Ambrose 32 ,Washington, DC
  • Major Ronald D. Milam 33 Washington ,DC

DESIGN CONCEPTS

PHASE I: Infrastructure, Design Improvements

Installation of electrical power, energy efficient LED lighting for the main sign, and community-approved plans for the redesign of the main area to expand the common areas and restore all pathways (80% Hardscaping). 

Also; to update and restore primary park signs and memorial plaques bearing the names of DC residents who lost their lives on 9/11.

PHASE II: Improved Gardening and Installation of Hardscaping (Memorial Pavers)

Leveling main area; Small Retaining Wall; Widen and restore all wood framing around steps and pathways

Our second phase efforts centered around making the pocket park a functioning town square or gathering space for the neighborhood. This includes wider walking paths and improving the grading of the severely sloped landscaping . 

The expanding redesign/ landscaping will create a defined memorial garden area and the addition of a (3.5ft high) retaining wall that runs horizontally through the park, parallel with the 3100 Block of O Street ST SE) to level the primary surface area.  All wood framing around walking paths and steps were replaced at the front entrance/ sign area (facing Penn Ave SE), and as well as other areas in the 9/11 Memorial Park in an effort to preserve the integrity of the landscape from erosion.

Resurfacing /Restoration of Pathways

Restoration of pathways and expanding the primary surface areas (80% Hardscaping/20%  Memorial Garden), increasing the capacity for public gatherings and improving overall accessibility to the park from Carpenter Street and O Street SE entrances.

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