For more than six decades, Sylvia Lewis has called Greenbelt home. Now, as she prepares to move closer to family in upstate New York, she is reflecting on the community that shaped much of her life.
Lewis moved to Greenbelt in the 1960s with her husband, Robert Lewis, who was studying at the Catholic University of America. The couple initially planned to stay only briefly, choosing Greenbelt for its relatively low cost of living and convenient commute into Washington, D.C. Instead, the city quickly became a permanent home. “We moved to Greenbelt, which we thought would be for a short time,” Lewis said. “And I love it. I love Greenbelt. Just love it.”
Her story began far from Prince George’s County. Lewis grew up in East London and spent her early childhood there during World War II, when German bombing raids targeted the city during the Blitz. Like many London families, hers adapted their daily routines to the constant threat of air raids. “We slept in the cellar, in the coal cellar during the Blitz,” Lewis recalled.
In Greenbelt, Lewis became active in the community while raising her two children. “It was a perfect, perfect place for children,” she said. “They could play in the playground, walk to school, go buy something at the store.”
Her professional career also grew out of those early parenting years. When her son started first grade in 1968, Lewis began working with the Prince George’s County chapter of the American Red Cross. She would eventually become executive director and help build programs that connected young volunteers with community service opportunities. “I was proud of getting the youth volunteer program started,” she said.
After retiring in the late 1990s, Lewis devoted more of her time to organizations and issues within Greenbelt itself. She served as treasurer and later president of Greenbelt Homes, Inc. and remained involved in local discussions and initiatives. In recognition of her many contributions, the city named her Greenbelt’s Outstanding Citizen in 2011. Soon after that Lewis began to volunteer for the Greenbelt News Review, where she oversaw the Ad Desk and served on the paper’s board of directors.
Her civic engagement also extended into local politics. At a time when the city’s leadership did not reflect its changing demographics, Lewis urged Emmett Jordan to run for office and served as his treasurer. He later became the first Black member of the Greenbelt City Council and eventually mayor.
Lewis said her approach to community involvement has always been simple. Rather than complaining about problems, she believes residents should work to fix them. “I figure if you don’t like something, if you can’t live with it, then do something about it,” she said. “Don’t just gripe, don’t just grouse, do something.”
Lewis said the cooperative structure that defines much of Greenbelt also helped shape her view of community. She believes the system encourages residents to participate actively rather than simply voice opinions. “If you’ve got an idea, don’t just say it,” she said. “Help bring it about.”
Later this spring, Lewis will move to a senior living facility near her daughter in Penn Yan, N.Y. The decision means leaving behind the place where she spent most of her adult years. She said what she will miss most is the sense of connection that has long defined the city. “Oh, the people, the feeling of community,” she said. “That’s what I’m going to miss.”
Reflecting on more than 60 years in the city, Lewis said Greenbelt gave her opportunities she never expected when she first arrived. “The best thing that happened to me was moving to Greenbelt,” she said. “It enabled me to grow and develop abilities I didn’t know I had.”
For more on Sylvia Lewis, see our September 8, 2011, July 15, 2021, and November 14, 2024 issues.
Stephen Lotz is a University of Maryland student at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism interning with the Greenbelt News Review.
