2 july 1968 & opening of american cancer society unit in anacostia
#OTD 2 July 1968 The new Southeast Unit office of the DC Chapter of the American Cancer Society (2200 block Nichols Ave, SE) had been open for two weeks. The official opening was held on 17 June 1968. (The dedication ceremony was held in the Curtis Brothers Furniture Company (2216 Nichols Ave, SE) parking lot across from the unit.)
In the photo above, Councilmember Margaret Haywood is cutting the ribbon. From left to right in the photo is Calvin Rolark, publisher of the Washington Informer; Harry Curtis, Curtis Brothers Furniture Company; Margaret Haywood; James L. Harrison, vice-president of DC Chapter, American Cancer Society; Joyce Smith Johnson, executive secretary of new unit; Charles E. Qualls, first president and chair of the new unit.
Your comments are welcome below. Did you, a family member or neighbor attend the official opening? Did you visit the unit? Do you remember the building? Do you remember Charles Qualls? Do you remember Joyce Smith Johnson? You may comment privately here.
Photo source: Courtesy Anacostia Community Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution, June 1968. Photographer unknown. A big thank you to archivist Jennifer Morris for her suggestion that I look through the rich Charles E. Qualls papers.
Letter from C. Roger Kurtz to Dr. Charles E. Qualls, 7 June 1968.
