Dorothy Mae Richardson facts for kids

Dorothy Mae Richardson (born May 3, 1922 – died April 28, 1991) was an African American community leader. She created a new way to help neighborhoods grow in the late 1960s. She led a group of neighbors to improve housing in her area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In the mid-1960s, Dorothy and her neighbors asked bankers and government leaders for help. They convinced 16 banks to offer regular loans to their community. These loans helped people fix up old homes. This effort started a new field called community-based development. It led to the creation of Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Pittsburgh in 1968. The success of NHS Pittsburgh inspired similar programs in 300 cities across the United States. In 1978, the U.S. Congress officially recognized this network. They created the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, now known as NeighborWorks America. Its goal is based on the community work Dorothy and her neighbors started years before.

About Dorothy Richardson

Early Life in Pittsburgh

Dorothy Mae Davis grew up in the Manchester neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Her family later moved to the Charles Street Valley when she was about 16. She finished high school at Allegheny High School in 1940. After her husband, Louis Richardson, came back from World War Two, they moved into a house. Dorothy lived in this house for the rest of her life. It was at the corner of Charles Street and Cross Street.

Dorothy stayed active in her community her whole life. She once said that she never left the North Side because "I went to school there. I got married there. All my friends are there." Dorothy Richardson passed away on April 28, 1991, at age 68. She died from kidney failure at Allegheny General Hospital. She was survived by her son, Jonathan, and her siblings.

How Dorothy Helped Her Community

Fighting for Better Homes

In the 1960s, many old city neighborhoods were being torn down. People were moved into public housing projects. Banks often saw these inner-city areas as too risky for good investments. Dorothy Richardson, who was a housewife, refused to let her neighborhood fall apart. She saw houses leaning and windows rotting. She believed the answer was to fix the homes, not to tear down the whole neighborhood.

Dorothy and her neighbors formed a group called Citizens Against Slum Housing. Their goal was to raise money. They wanted to help poor renters become homeowners.

Getting Loans for Neighbors

Dorothy explained how it started: "It all got started because of one block club… We were sick to death of all the terrible houses, the slum landlords and the rats." They planned to clean up 24 houses. They even got a landlord to agree to help. But they ran out of supplies, and he did not keep his promise.

Dorothy and her group knew that money was the key to success. They asked city bankers and government officials to help improve their neighborhood. The group convinced 16 financial institutions to support their efforts. These institutions agreed to give loans and create a special fund. This money helped fix rundown homes. Dorothy's group raised $750,000 in grants from these lenders. These funds were used to create the Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Pittsburgh in 1968.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Dorothy remained a key figure. She educated and inspired other community leaders. She helped them start their own resident-led organizations.

Dorothy Richardson's Lasting Impact

A Model for Other Cities

In 1970, the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLB) joined with Neighborhood Housing Services of Pittsburgh. They worked together to train bank officers. These trainings taught them about giving loans in city neighborhoods. The FHLB trainings grew into workshops. These workshops helped start other Neighborhood Housing Services groups across the country.

Founding NeighborWorks America

In 1978, the U.S. Congress created the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. It is now known as NeighborWorks America. Its purpose is to encourage banks to invest in older neighborhoods. This is done with the help of the community, residents, and local governments. This organization continues the important work that Dorothy Richardson started.

Awards in Her Honor

Dorothy Richardson Award for Resident Leadership

To honor Dorothy Richardson's life work, NeighborWorks America created an award in 1992. It is called the Dorothy Richardson Award for Resident Leadership. This award recognizes seven community leaders each year. These leaders are celebrated for their great work in their communities. The award highlights people who have made big achievements in affordable housing and community development. Nominees must live or work in a community served by a NeighborWorks America group. They also need at least two years of volunteer work.

Dorothy Richardson Legacy Award

NHS of Pittsburgh, now called NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania, also created an award. In 2008, they started the Dorothy Richardson Legacy Award. This award recognizes dedicated volunteers and long-serving board members. It celebrates their outstanding contributions to the community.