Former Alexandria mayors Kerry Donley and Bill Euille are among the Class of 2017 Living Legends of Alexandria who will be honored at the organization’s 10th anniversary Meet the Legends reception March 16 at the George Washington Masonic Memorial.
“Living Legends aspires to identify, honor and chronicle the lives of individuals who have done great things to improve the quality of life in Alexandria,” said Living Legends board president Jennifer Ayers. “They are the reason why — why the organization is here and why we have a program for that.”
Also among this year’s honorees are recently retired DASH general manager Sandy Modell and long-time Del Ray community supporter Jen Walker. Carter Flemming, Gwen Mullen, Ethel Underwood and Mary Anne Weber have also been named 2017 Living Legends of Alexandria.
The reception will also celebrate Living Legends of previous years and acknowledge the 20 Legends who have died since the inception of the program.
“There have been about 120 individuals selected as Living Legends of Alexandria since its inception in 2007,” Ayers said. “They have given of time, talent and resources and have created, inspired and motivated others to lead. By telling their stories and honoring their achievements, Living Legends of Alexandria hopes to share the story of how something came to being and encourage others to engage in improving life in our great city.”
The profiles of this year’s honorees, along with all previous Living Legends, are available on the Living Legends website. The nomination period for next year’s Living Legends program is now open. For more information or to purchase tickets to the March 16 Meet the Legends reception, visit www.alexandrialegends.org.
Kerry Donley
Whether as the mayor of Alexandria or a council member, a banker or a coach, Kerry Donley has dedicated his life to serving his community. From bringing the Patent and Trademark Office to Alexandria to the construction of Beatley Library, he’s worked to improve the city he calls home.
Bill Euille
Former Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille has made civic engagement integral to his life experience. Helping the City and community of Alexandria thrive and prosper has been and remains his life blood and his life’s work.
Carter Flemming
Carter Flemming takes volunteering and activism to new heights through a lifetime of intense and devoted involvement in the Alexandria community. Flemming has organized her life and prioritized goals to positively impact over 20 Alexandria organizations and untold numbers of lives.
Sandy Modell
Alexandria’s transportation network owes a debt of gratitude to groundbreaker Sandy Modell. Through the development of the DASH bush system, Modell connected Alexandria’s citizens with shops, parks and employments opportunities and created a workplace filled with dedicated employees while developing new opportunities for women in transportation.
Gwen Mullen
When Gwen Mullen arrived in Alexandria in 1970, she passionately began serving her community. She influenced many lives, particularly those of children and youth, in a multitude of ways, including tutoring and increasing scholarship funding for students.
Ethel Underwood
Ethel Underwood was the first African American woman to achieve the rank of colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve. After retirement, Underwood served for 12 years on Alexandria’s Commission on Aging and was a volunteer leader with the Women in Voluntary Service to America Memorial, Inova Alexandria Hospital, Hopkins House, the Executive Committee of the NAACP, the Alexandria Society for the Preservation of Black Heritage and the Alexandria Black History Museum.
Jen Walker
Jen Walker has served the Del Ray community through sponsorships, serving on boards and volunteering. Her signature contribution is Cinema Del Ray, a free outdoor movie theater that brings people of all ages and stations together for summer evenings of enjoyment. It exemplifies Walker’s long commitment to making positivity the life blood of her community.
Mary Anne Weber
Retired Gazette Packet editor Mary Anne Weber served on the Alexandria Community Services Board, for 10 years, four as chair. She helped organize both citywide health fairs. In 2007 Weber was part of the founding Living Legends of Alexandria Committee and continued to serve on its board as recording secretary until June 2016.