Isabelle Gournay: Parisian, Architect, Iconic Greenbelter
“Greenbelt is a phenomenal enterprise.” Maybe a similar thought has run through your mind as you walk or bike our pathways, use our recreational facilities, see a movie in our historic theater or take part in activities in our Community Center? When Greenbelt resident Isabelle Gournay makes such a statement, however, many folks outside our […]
Women Pioneers of Reparations
Reparations means making amends for a wrong by paying money to or otherwise helping those who have been wronged. The act of repairing something. Reparations for slavery is the application of the concept of reparations to the victims of chattel slavery and their descendants. I am LaWann Stribling, born LaWann Pendleton. I’ve been on an […]
Charter Amendment Hearing Garners Assorted Opinions
Even with a 15-minute grace period for folks stuck in traffic or unaccustomed to quick council meetings, the first public hearing on the charter amendment to allow council to waive the residency requirement for city managers was over in just 47 minutes. There will be a second hearing on Saturday, April 1 at 10 a.m. […]
Kimberly Schmidt Broadens Women’s Historical Narrative
Spotlight on Women Kimberly Schmidt, one of Greenbelt’s newer residents, has dedicated her professional career to telling the stories of marginalized women. As a retired professor of history from Eastern Mennonite University, Schmidt has focused her research on the social history of Mennonite and Amish women, as well as women’s histories of the Southern Cheyenne […]
Recognition for Greenbelt’s Many Outstanding Educators
On March 13, Greenbelt City Council hosted the presentation of the 28th Advisory Committee on Education (ACE) Educator Awards. ACE was formed in 1994, and seeks to connect council with local schools to promote high-quality schools for Greenbelt. Their annual Educator Awards recognize those making exceptional contributions to Greenbelt schools, be they teachers, guidance counselors, […]
Strong Women Are the Backbone Of the Greenbelt News Review
Spotlight on Women Part II of a Three-Part Story Following in the footsteps of many “grand dames,” strong women continue to lead and nurture the News Review today. Cathie Meetre (2011-Present) News Review Board President Cathie Meetre led a 2022 writer workshop which produced several new reporters, all women. Maintaining the paper’s cross-training practices, Editor […]
Should Non-Citizens Vote Discussed by Council, Board
During a February 8 worksession, Greenbelt’s Board of Elections and the Greenbelt City Council debated extending votes in city elections to all Greenbelt residents, regardless of citizenship status. Investigating this question had been a referral from council to the board. Other local municipalities, including Hyattsville, Cheverly and Takoma Park already do this. Councilmember Ric Gordon […]
Strong Women Are the Backbone Of the Greenbelt News Review
Part I of a Two-Part Story The history of the News Review is a story of strong women’s impact on Greenbelt, its cooperative institutions, its culture and community. It is a story of women’s accomplishments, especially since 1962, when 12 of the 18 person staff were women. Since that year, the editor has been a […]
Co-op Gets New Registers, And Includes Self-Checkout
When Kim Kash, member and secretary of the board of directors of the Greenbelt Co-op Supermarket, reached out to ask if I’d be willing to write a story about the new self-checkout lanes at the Co-op, I originally said no. “Holy Cauliflower [which, incidentally, you can buy at the Co-op]?! Self-checkout lanes?!” I said. “I’m […]
Greenbelt Schools Get Their Assessment Report Cards
In January, the Maryland State Department of Education released the 2022 Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) results. Those results show the varying performances of county public school systems. It was the first such assessment data since 2019, due to the pandemic. Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) showed several areas of concern, particularly in math […]