On December 4, Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy hosted the county’s first Golden Senior Ball, which was a sold-out event held at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt. Previously there were “red and gold” senior balls in the county but this was the first ball since 2019, after which they ceased due to the pandemic and had not resumed until now. At the ball five county seniors were honored, including Peggy Higgins, who has lived in Greenbelt since 1992 and is currently chair of Greenbelt’s Public Safety Advisory Committee and membership coordinator of the Greenbelt News Review.
What made them select Higgins, we asked Leslie Johnson, director of Senior Affairs for Prince George’s County. “A lot! The fact that she is a 36-year resident of the county. … What she has done with youth and families for more than 36 years is just extraordinary,” said Johnson. “She has also not only been director of the City of College Park’s Youth, Family and Senior Services Department but also worked in youth protective services, and she’s also held elected office,” she said of Higgins, who represented District 2 on the Prince George’s County Board of Education from 2010 to 2014. “Her life’s work really focused on working with children and the needs of children.”
Higgins was the youngest of the five senior awards recipients last week. The oldest, Velma Eura Long, is 108 years old and had served as one of America’s Rosie the Riveters during WWII, among many other accomplishments and acts of service. Others included Elsie Jacobs, who led and transformed the Suitland community through events, social services and public safety initiatives, advocating for residents of all ages and backgrounds for over 30 years; 96-year-old Margaret White, recipient of the International Medal from the Washington Center for Aging, who dedicated decades to serving at D.C. General Hospital and Howard University Hospital, among others. Since 2004, she has led the Millwood Waterford Citizens Association, advocating for smarter growth and a better quality of life. Patricia Abbott, who dedicated over 50 years to social service is the final recipient.
Higgins was delighted and surprised that she was going to be honored, said Johnson.
“Myself and County Executive believe that our seniors are our cherished jewels of the county,” said Johnson, who noted she herself is also a senior. “The younger generation stands on our shoulders and we believe that we should be honored, celebrated and respected and – importantly – given the resources necessary to live our best lives,” said Johnson.
“Many seniors suffer from loneliness so this was a chance to get together, network – and our seniors had a ball at their ball!” said Johnson.
Almost 1,700 seniors gathered at Martin’s Crosswinds for the celebration, for which seniors were offered free tickets.
Johnson’s whole department is dedicated to making sure seniors in the county live well and thrive, she said. Although there have been senior services within the Office of the County Executive and within the Department of Family Services, “this is the first time that we’ve had a Division of Senior Affairs in the County Executive,” said Johnson. The new division was created six months ago, under the leadership of Braveboy when she took office. Johnson says their office can now focus solely on seniors, make the calls, put seniors directly in contact with resources and cut through some red tape. Johnson said she was elated to be named the director of senior affairs, the new position she’s held for the last six months. “It’s a passion,” she said of her work. This was the first ball held under County Executive Braveboy but “it’s the first of many, I’m sure,” said Johnson. They began planning for it in October. Johnson was “absolutely” happy with how it went, “because the seniors were happy,” she said.
