Willie Hardy facts for kids

Willie J. Hardy (born July 18, 1922 – died August 18, 2007) was a politician and activist from the Democratic Party. She lived in Washington, D.C. She was one of the first people elected to the Council of the District of Columbia in 1974. This happened when D.C. gained "home rule," which meant it could govern itself more. She represented Ward 7 on the council from 1975 to 1981.

Early Life and Family

Willie White was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Her parents were James and Willie V. White. When she was five years old, her family moved to Deanwood in Washington, D.C.. She went to public schools in D.C.

Willie's mother often collected used clothes. She would give them to people who needed them. Willie Hardy later said this inspired her to help others when she grew up. Her mother also volunteered at a local school. She taught sewing and canning to children of color.

Willie married DeSales Carter, a Navy seaman. They had one son. They later divorced. In 1954, she married Lloyd Hardy, who was a taxi driver. They had three children together and adopted one child.

Becoming an Activist

In the 1950s, Hardy worked for the United States Department of the Treasury. She went to Atlantic Business School at night. This helped her get a promotion at her job.

Hardy heard a radio message asking for volunteers. It was for Hubert Humphrey's 1960 presidential campaign. She felt inspired to help out.

Hardy left her job at the Treasury Department. She wanted to spend all her time on politics. This way, she would not break any rules about government workers being involved in campaigns. She became the executive secretary for the committee planning John F. Kennedy's inauguration. In November 1961, she started working for Senator Philip Hart.

Helping the Community

In the early 1960s, Hardy was the secretary of the Far East Democratic Organization. This group was known for helping families. They helped families whose requests for welfare had been turned down. They also helped those who lost their welfare due to new rules. Hardy helped people find food, shelter, jobs, clothes, and heat. She was also part of the District Citizens Council. She was on the Democratic Central Committee of the District of Columbia.

By 1965, Hardy was volunteering for the Metropolitan Community Aid Council, Inc. She helped homeless people find affordable places to live. The Council also collected used clothes. They sold them for very low prices to families in need. Their main office was in Deanwood.

Hardy also worked with the Citizen's Committee on Glen Echo. In 1966, she spoke out against Glen Echo Park's policy. The park only allowed white people to enter. She wanted this "whites-only policy" to end. This was part of the larger Civil Rights Movement.

In 1966, Hardy was chosen to lead the University Neighborhood Council. Howard University started this Council. It helped people in need in Cardozo. She created "Operation Checkmate." This was a group of older teenagers. They would report problems caused by police officers and sanitation workers. Hardy also organized college students to teach adults how to read. She helped children with their homework.

Leading the Black United Front

By 1968, Hardy was a leader of the Black United Front. This group asked for "equality." Hardy explained that they wanted "power to participate." She believed in being peaceful. However, she also felt people had the right to defend themselves.

When Martin Luther King Jr. was killed, Hardy spoke about it. She said, "When white America killed the father of nonviolence, it killed all hope of settling our problems by peaceful means." She called the murder a "declaration of war." She meant it was a call to fight even harder for civil rights.

A few weeks after the Washington riots, Hardy spoke on a panel. The panel was called "Civil War U.S.A.—'68?" She spoke with Walter Fauntroy and Marion Barry.

After the riots, young people asked Hardy how they could help rebuild the city. Hardy and the Metropolitan Community Aid Council got a special grant. This money helped connect young adults with skilled workers. Together, they fixed up old houses. The young people were paid and learned useful skills. Landlords paid for the building materials.

Serving on the D.C. Council

In 1974, Hardy ran for a seat on the Council of the District of Columbia. She wanted to represent Ward 7. The Council was being created at this time. She won the Democratic Party primary election with 30 percent of the votes.

In the main election, she ran against several other candidates. She won with 80 percent of the votes. She served a two-year term. On the Council, Hardy led several important committees. These included Public Safety, Housing and Economic Development, and Finance and Revenue.

Hardy ran for reelection in 1976. She faced challenges in the Democratic primary. The Washington Post newspaper supported her reelection. She won the primary with 61% of the votes.

In the general election, she was reelected for a four-year term. She received 83 percent of the votes.

Later Work on the Council

Hardy led the Community Task Force for the Safety of Children and Youth. This group received money from the District of Columbia. In 1978, the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against the group. They said the group did not show how it spent the money. Hardy had signed the checks for the funds. The District also said the group did not add enough of its own money to the program. Hardy said the lawsuit was unfair. She believed it was because she supported Sterling Tucker for mayor.

In 1979, Hardy suggested a new bill. This bill would change the law for workers compensation. This is money paid to workers who get hurt on the job. The Greater Washington Central Labor Council criticized the bill. They said it would make it harder for injured workers. For example, they said workers might not be able to choose their own doctors. Hardy defended the bill. She said it would help small businesses by lowering insurance costs. The Council voted to pass the bill later that year.

On June 30, 1980, Hardy announced she would not run for reelection. She decided to start her own consulting business. This business would work with the federal government. It would look at programs for cities.

Death

Willie J. Hardy died on August 18, 2007. She passed away from bone cancer at a hospice in Washington, D.C.

Electoral history

1974 Elections

1976 Elections