ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 30, 1997 TAG: 9703310094
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
TYPE: NEWS OBIT
Josephine Butler, a community activist who co-founded the District of Columbia's Statehood Party, died Saturday of congestive heart failure and complications from diabetes. She was 77.
Butler, a native of Poplar Hill, Md., came to Washington in 1934 and worked as a laundress. She later organized a union for female laundry workers.
She was a former District of Columbia council member and Statehood Party nominee for mayor. The party has campaigned to make the district the nation's 51st state.
Butler received commendations for her community revitalization work, which President Clinton lauded as ``a shining example for the nation.''
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LENGTH: Short : 26 linesby CNB