Dorothy Bigelow Hamm

Dorothy Bigelow Hamm, 85, departed this life on May 14, 2004, in Richmond, Va. She was a loving wife, beloved mother, grandmother, prominent civil rights activist, former Head Start teacher in Arlington County, government administrator in Washington, D.C. (retired), and poet/playwright. Her relentless leadership in the struggle for civil rights in Virginia spanned more than 50 years. While Mrs. Hamm was a plaintiff in five landmark decisions affecting the Civil Rights Movement, she was most proud of her overall influence in the desegregation of Arlington County Public Schools. Among her numerous accomplishments are the following: recipient of the first Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service in 1982; recognition as one of the "Notable Women" of Arlington County in 1993; awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the Young Arlington Democrats for pioneering civil rights in Arlington; and honored by the Virginia National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and the Arlington Election Board. Most recently, the Virginia State Legislature acknowledged Mrs. Hamm for her extraordinary, lifetime achievements and exemplary dedication to the cause of equal rights for all Virginians. Mrs. Hamm is survived by her husband of 62 years, Edward Leslie Hamm Sr.; two sons, Edward Leslie Jr. "Sonny", Virginia Beach, Va., Bernard C. Sr., Arlington, Va.; a daughter, Carmela M. Hamm, Richmond, Va.; a sister, Melba "Jenny" Clarke; and a brother, Leroy "Booster" Bigelow, both of Falls Church, Va.; four grandchildren, Rodney (Linda), Niko, Bernard Jr. (Krystal), and Donique Hamm; three great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends. The family will greet friends during a wake on Wednesday, May 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at H.W. Dabney Funeral Home, located at 518 North Washington Highway (Route 1) in Ashland, Va. A funeral will be held on Thursday, May 20, at 1 p.m., at Wright's Chapel United Methodists Church, 8063 Ladysmith Road (Route 639). Subsequently, on Friday, May 21, the family will again receive friends for a memorial tribute and viewing from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Calloway United Methodist Church, 5000 Lee Highway in North Arlington, Va. On Saturday, May 22, viewing will occur from 10 to 11 a.m. at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 1601 South 13th Road in South Arlington, Va. Immediately following the viewing, a funeral service celebrating the life of Mrs. Dorothy Bigelow Hamm will be held at 11 a.m. Interment will take place directly after the service at National Memorial Park, 7400 Lee Highway, Falls Church, Va. Memorial contributions in honor of Dorothy Bigelow Hamm may be made to the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington, 951 South George Mason Drive, 2nd Floor, Arlington, Va. 22204, telephone: (703)271-8700. The Hamm family graciously acknowledges with heartfelt appreciation, the numerous expressions of love, kindness, and sympathy shown during the illness and passing of our loved one.