ALEXANDRIA, VA-The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963 is now fondly remembered for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s, “I Have a Dream” speech. However, there were concerns that the largest civil rights gathering at that point in history would end up hurting the overall movement. As a college sophomore home for the summer in Alexandria in 1963, Gwen Day-Fuller attended not knowing what to expect.
“It ended up being absolutely beautiful and peaceful. In some ways, it was almost eerie to have so many people out there being so calm with everybody just waiting to hear him speak,” she said.
That day helped inspire Day-Fuller to dedicate her life to making a positive impact in her community. Her latest effort, Grandma’s Table, launched last month. The program, in collaboration with the Concerned Citizens Network of Alexandria (CCNA) and Alexandria City Public Schools, is intended to connect female high school students with grandmothers, so they learn more about keeping their city productive and running smoothly. In addition to being mentored, students will also meet city officials to learn about the importance of voting at the local level, the services provided by the city, ways they can become involved, and possible job opportunities.
“After the pandemic and the 2024 presidential election, I started to realize how important it is for students to learn a little more about civic government. My way of doing that is to bring people in from the city who have specific jobs and to explain to the girls what they do and what their path was like getting to the job they now hold,” said Day-Fuller.
To get the project going, Day-Fuller recruited 12 grandmothers through her role as Advisor and Past Chair of the CCNA. She then worked with Lytle Brent, General Studies Academy lead and English teacher at Alexandria City High School, who helped make it happen through reserving space and arranging school bus transportation to Grandma’s Table events.
Grandma’s Table held its first meeting on Feb. 24, at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard Campus. The grandmothers interacted with the 10 ninth grade students and Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and School Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt spoke to them.
“As mayor, I am proud to support Grandma’s Table and its mission to connect our students with the heart of our city’s government,” said Gaskins after the event. “By providing young people with the opportunity to engage with city officials, learn about the vital services we provide, and explore career paths in public service, we are helping to build a more informed, active, and empowered future generation.”
Day-Fuller said that the hour-long events will be held each month with food and beverages provided. Each speaker will give a short presentation on their work and what led them to it. In addition, students will also discuss areas and projects they would like to pursue. While the first event mainly involved introductions between the grandmothers and the students, Day-Fuller and Brent are planning for greater collaboration and mentorship as they continue.
“Before you leave and get on the bus, we would like the grandmothers to meet the girls and the girls to meet the grandmothers. Just introduce yourself to one person so that when you come back at the end of March, you will know at least one grandmother and one grandmother will know you,” said Brent towards the end of the first event.
Day-Fuller said the next meeting is scheduled for March 27, with Alexandria City Councilmember Jacinta Greene scheduled to speak.
“I think young people today really need added support and they need adults in their lives who can explain things to them that perhaps they don’t really understand. There’s so much information coming at them all the time in a way that’s hard for even adults to keep straight,” said Day-Fuller. “Retirement is our time to give back even more because we have a little bit of extra time and so much to share that it’d be a shame not to.”
SEE ALSO: Alexandria Plans Events Around the Bloom of the Cherry Blossoms
