Last week Alexandria lost one of its most beloved and respected citizens former Virginia delegate Marion G. Galland. To those who knew her, she symbolized honor, integrity, generosity, and loyalty for the many causes she firmly believed in. Over the years, she maintained abiding faith in Alexandria's future.
In 1968, she soon became a lightening rod for the senior citizens of our community. During that time, she was one of the 16 Founder Members who helped establish an organization to find full or part-time employment for men and women over 60 years of age. This spirited effort would enable our elderly to maintain their dignity by demonstrating the gainful utilization of the talents, skills, and abilities of our senior citizens. The organization was called Senior Citizens Employment Services, and she was elected its first president.
The concept swiftly caught on and has successfully prevailed for over 39 years under the current dedicated Board of Directors. I remember well when I succeeded Marion Galland as the organization's second president in 1970-71, and on Wednesday, April 21, 1971, we both appeared before the Alexandria City Council to request $15,000 to replace federal funds that would disappear that year, and telling Council members how urgent it was to get some type of commitment from them to help us carry on the Senior Citizens Employment Service program in the City of Alexandria. She was eloquent in the way she
presented our position.
Today, 39 years later, the organization is called Senior Services of Alexandria and certainly has survived the test of time. A community that has such a public servant is indeed fortunate. Marion Galland will be missed and leaves a strong senior citizen legacy.
Lewis A. Stearman
Alexandria