Big Five of Bayview facts for kids

The Big Five of Bayview were important community leaders and activists from the Bayview and Hunters Point areas in San Francisco. These women played a big part in making sure major building projects, like the India Basin and Hunters Point Redevelopment Projects, were finished in the 1960s and 1970s. They worked hard to improve their neighborhoods and fight for their community.

Activism: Fighting for Change

These five African-American women were all mothers and active members of the Crispus Attucks Club. They spoke out about issues and worked to make their neighborhood better. Many people saw them as strong leaders who helped organize the community.

The Big Five started their activism in the early 1960s. They tackled problems like poverty and unfair treatment in Hunters Point. They became famous in 1973 when they marched in Washington D.C. They demanded money that had been promised to build new homes in Hunters Point. They didn't leave until they secured a $30 million grant. Today, streets and important places in the neighborhood are named after them to honor their efforts.

Meet the Big Five Leaders

A 1996 historical record names the Big Five as Julia Commer, Bertha Freeman, Osceola Washington, Elouise Westbrook, and Rosalie Williams. However, other sources have slightly different lists. Some say Ruth Williams was one of the Big Five instead of Bertha Freeman. Another source mentions Beatrice Dunbar instead of Rosalie Williams, and calls Julia Commer "Julia Coleman." A 1972 source lists Ardith Nichols instead of Rosalie Williams. The three members everyone agrees on are Julia Commer, Osceola Washington, and Elouise Westbrook.

Julia Commer: Building a New Community

Julia Commer was recognized as a key community leader. She fought to transform a large, run-down area into a new neighborhood. This new area would have modern homes and good schools. A 1978 newspaper article mentioned her work in tearing down old temporary housing. These homes were originally built for shipyard workers during World War II.

Elouise Westbrook: A Powerful Voice

Elouise Westbrook was born in Texas in 1915 and moved to San Francisco in 1949. She passed away in 2011. At her funeral, important city leaders, like Mayor Ed Lee and former Mayor Willie Brown, spoke about her. Willie Brown even joked that she used to "scare" him because she was so determined. She would demand he answer her calls and even show up at his office to get things done for her community.

Ruth Williams: A Champion for Her Community

Ruth Williams (1935-1995) was an African American producer, writer, actress, educator, and activist. She was very active in San Francisco from the 1960s to the 1990s. She was known for her strong speaking skills.

After college, Ruth Williams had two daughters. Later, she married George Williams Sr. They had six sons together. In 1958, the family moved to Vallejo, California. Her husband worked at the Mare Island shipyard. In 1960, the Williams family moved to San Francisco.

Ruth Williams began working for Dr. Arthur H. Coleman, a doctor who served the Bayview community. Working with him, she became very involved in improving healthcare for her neighbors. She started a program for women and children, especially single mothers. She helped create a Family Planning Clinic, which she managed for 25 years.

Ruth Williams became a key figure in the Bayview Hunters Point District. She worked closely with the "Big Five" women leaders. She was known for protecting the community from businesses that didn't care about their needs.

In 1962, Ruth Williams served on the San Francisco Human Rights Commission. She also chaired the San Francisco General Outpatient Council. Her community work grew over the years. She served on committees for housing, poverty, and urban development. In 1967, Robert Kennedy visited Bayview Hunters Point and spoke with Ruth Williams about the community's challenges.

In 1970, Ruth Williams spoke before the United States Senate. Her testimony led to $30 million in housing funds for Bayview Hunters Point residents. She co-founded the Jackie Robinson Gardens Apartments. This was an affordable housing complex in Hunters Point. It included a childcare center named after Sojourner Truth. Ruth and her husband also helped build the first 14 single-family homes in Bayview.

After her husband passed away in 1973, Ruth Williams worked to raise awareness about high blood pressure. She organized a fundraiser at Candlestick Park. She also put on a large music show in Bayview Hunters Point. Famous artists like Tina Turner and Larry Graham helped. She even produced a TV fundraiser with celebrities. Earth, Wind and Fire band members donated money. Ruth Williams raised $55,000 to educate the community about hypertension.

Ruth Williams also created and produced the first Miss Black San Francisco pageants. These events, held from 1977 to 1979, celebrated the beauty of African American women. She wanted to boost the self-esteem of young Black women in her community.

With her background in performing arts, Ruth Williams founded the Bayview Repertory Theater Company. She wrote and acted in 37 plays at the Bayview Opera House. This historic building was renamed The Bayview Opera House Ruth Williams Memorial Theater in her honor in 1995.

Ruth Williams played a major role in saving the Bayview Opera House. In 1966, a tragic event, known as the Hunters Point Social Uprising, occurred. The Opera House was damaged during the unrest. Ruth Williams successfully raised money to renovate and restore the building. She hired an African-American architect, Harry Overstreet, for the project. The Bayview Opera House became the first building in Bayview to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It also became a City Landmark, thanks to Ruth Williams' efforts.

Ruth Williams was a mentor to many artists, including actor Danny Glover. One of her last projects was to secure a loan to create an arts program for young people in Bayview Hunters Point. Ruth Williams passed away in 1995 after battling cancer. She was 63 years old.

Bertha Freeman: Supporting Education

Bertha Freeman was recognized in the news for her leadership. She led a community group that helped choose teaching assistants for the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. This shows her dedication to improving education in the area.