This year’s winner of the DC Vote “Champion of Democracy” award, former Councilmember Hilda Mason has passed away at the age of 91. She was a true champion for securing full voting rights for the people of the District of Columbia and will be missed. Funeral services will be conducted by Cook & Minnis Funeral Home at Shiloh Baptist Church in Lynch Station, VA.

Hilda Howland M. Mason was born in Campbell County, Virginia, on June 14, 1916. She moved to the District of Columbia in 1945. Ms. Mason has been a teacher, counselor, supervising instructor, and an assistant principal in the District of Columbia Public Schools. She has authored research and professional studies and has served as an educational consultant and lecturer.

Ms. Mason served on the District of Columbia Board of Education representing Ward Four (an elected position) from January 1972 to April 1977, and she founded the Ward Four Council on Education. Ms. Mason was appointed to the Council of the District of Columbia on April 2, 1977, to fill the vacancy left by the death of Julius W. Hobson. She was elected in 1977 to completed the term and re-elected in 1978 for a full term.

Mrs. Mason has been re-elected to the Council in 1982, 1986, 1990, and most recently, in November 1994.

This is from my friends at DC Vote. Personally, I’d rather throw Mitch McConnell in the Potomac River, but I’d likely get tossed in the clink for that. This does look like fun though, I’ll certainly be there:

DC Vote Tea Party: The Revolution is Still Brewing

Join DC Vote as we commemorate the 234th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party by calling for an end to Taxation Without Representation.

When: Sunday, December 16, 1:30 - 2:30 PM

Where: Georgetown Waterfront Park

What: Rally, speeches, and a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party

Plus, free tea bags that say ‘End Taxation Without Representation.’