THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 14, 1995 TAG: 9505140034
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE WATSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 91 lines
The green and yellow sign above the dinner table proclaimed the Berkley Community Center ``Cougar Territory.''
But it was Minnie Gregg Madrey's house on Saturday.
More than 100 people came to the center for a surprise birthday party and a chance to pay tribute to a woman who has been a Berkley community activist for the past 60 years.
Madrey, who will be 83 on Monday, came to the center to attend a family dinner in honor of a grand-niece who graduates from Hampton University today.
But she walked into a gym with basketball hoops stuffed with balloons and friends and family singing ``Happy Birthday.''
``Goodness gracious,'' was all Madrey could mutter as she looked around the room.
``Goodness gracious.''
Madrey isn't usually at a loss for words. Her ``Let's go down to City Hall!'' has become legendary in the mostly black community.
Madrey grew up in the South Hill section of Chesapeake but moved to Berkley in 1935. Most of her trips to City Hall during the '30s and '40s centered on getting better streets and lights for the neighborhood.
``This was just a slum area and we were working toward getting it cleaned up,'' Madrey said. ``There were beer parlors all around. I didn't think it was good for children to be around all of that.''
Over the years, Madrey became active in voter registration, going person-to-person to collect the $1.50 poll taxes and to encourage more blacks to hit the voting booths. She became active in the United Order of Tents, one of the oldest community-service organizations in the country formed and run by black women, and worked on several committees including the citizen's advisory board, the Southside Federation of Organizations and Civic Leagues, and the Berkley Neighborhood Center.
It was fitting that the party was held in the Berkley Community Center with its pool next door, both of which Madrey helped establish.
``I got involved because there were so many things the young people were not getting,'' Madrey said. ``Working for the community is a job. Yet it's a pleasure.''
One of the problems of having such a legacy is having a lengthy celebration. An hour after the afternoon party began, well-wishers were still strolling in, unfolding chairs and joining the applause.
Norfolk Vice Mayor Paul Riddick read a framed proclamation from the city, thanking Madrey for her years of service.
``Mrs. Madrey embodies what every community needs,'' Riddick said. ``Someone who works for the good of the community.''
Kurk Rosenbach, former president of Rices-Nachman department store, recalled first meeting Madrey in 1944 when she worked as a ``desk girl'' in the ready-to-wear department. When the store integrated its sales staff in the '60s, Madrey became the first black sales associate and later became the leading salesperson in the organization.
``Not only was she an outstanding sales person, she was outstanding in community affairs,'' Rosenbach said.
``I remember her trying to raise money for this facility, grabbing everyone by the arm. She was very persuasive . . . she exemplifies the best there is in people.''
Others, like Katherine Puryear-Hester, came to thank Madrey for 25 years of friendship.
``Not many people work from their hearts, but Mrs. Madrey does,'' Puryear-Hester said.
``About five months ago, I had total knee replacement and Madrey called me up the day I got home from the hospital - because she felt something wasn't right. That's someone who works from the heart.''
Madrey's grand-niece, Carolyn Hunter, was also honored Saturday but the day belonged to ``Aunt Minnie.'' After a couple of hours of trips down memory lane, and song and dance solos from teens in her Tents' youth program, Madrey rested behind a growing pile of cards, a stack of plaques and vases of roses and carnations.
``I can't believe they pulled this off on me,'' she said, laughing.
``But this is so wonderful. . . . Hopefully, the next time we have something like this, there will be air conditioning in here. And we'll have a wing for the girls so they'll have some things there that are educational and that can build their self-esteem.''
One of Madrey's many ``adopted children'' walked up and kissed her on the cheek: ``You're not letting up are you, Miss Minnie?''
``No,'' Madrey said, ``I can't stop yet.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
TAMARA VONINSKI/Staff
Minnie Gregg Madrey, center, greets Laura Wyatt, left, and Katherine
Puryear-Hester at the Berkley Community Center on Saturday. More
than 100 people gathered at the center for a surprise birthday party
for Madrey, who will be 83 years old on Monday. She has been a
community activist for the past 60 years.
by CNB