January 19 was Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday at Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church. While there was a celebration of the life and legacy of King; it was also a grand celebration of the centennial birthday of Dolores Redwood.
It was the most logical place to hold the party since she has been a member of Grace Memorial for 60 years and has served the church in a variety of ways, including being an officer of the Chadwick Civic League, a member of Just Us Mothers, and as an incorporator of the Ladies Auxiliary Inc., which supports the Lemington Home for the Aged. Redwood worked diligently in the church until a few years ago when she became the caretaker for her daughter Janet L. Thompson Redwood who became ill with MS.
On this day, Redwood was celebrated in high style. The tributes began with her grandson, Maurice Redwood, reading a letter from President Barack and Michelle Obama, congratulating her on turning 100—“Michele and I are grateful for your contribution to the American Story which is significant as only it could be from one living to be 100 years old.”
She then received a “crown” from her sorority sisters. In the presentation of a proclamation, Jackie Blakey-Tate, president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, paid tribute to Redwood’s status as a Diamond member of the organization by reaching 75 years in membership.
More proclamations were read from the City, the Office of state Rep. Jake Wheatley, the county and the office of County Councilman Bill Robinson, as well as words of love and congratulations from her two grandsons, Maurice and Carter Redwood. There was also a statement from Rev. Johnnie Monroe, the former pastor of Grace Memorial and who was a part of the morning church service. Reverend Monroe used the time to articulate all the fine adjectives that described Redwood, which were “mother, grandmother, church leader and lover of God.” He went on to say that over her lifetime she has “anointed her family, her community, her sorority and her church; and this is the blessed assurance about which we sing.”
After a message by guest preacher Eugene Blackwell of the House of Manna, a Faith Community Church, the morning service concluded and a banquet/party continued on the lower level of the church. More then 100 guests convened for the party. The event consisted of a drum and dance presentation, more presentations, and a sumptuous meal of baked and fried chicken, string beans, and mashed potatoes and gravy were enjoyed by the attendees.
Redwood was born in Lynchburgh, Va., on Jan. 19, 1915 and had six sisters. In 1921, their mother traveled with her seven children to Pittsburgh and relocated to the Homestead area. Redwood went to school in that community and graduated from Homestead High School with high honors and won a scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh. She was married to Carl E. Redwood Sr., a Hill District icon, for many years before his death in 2001. One of their sons is Carl Redwood Jr., the long time Chair of the Hill District Consensus Group.
She also attended Grace Martin Business School, which merged into Duff’s Business School and worked for many years at the Pittsburgh Courier as executive secretary to Business Manager Earl Hord Sr. and Assistant Business Manager Russell T. Washington.
Redwood was born the seventh of William J. Thompson and Ardelia Payne’s eight children. Her family joined the wave of African Americans coming North, seeking new opportunities. When she was 4, she, her six sisters, and her mother moved to Homestead to be with her father and brother, steelworkers at the U.S. Steel Homestead Works. Her father was an organizer for Marcus Garvey and his Universal Negro Improvement Association. Mrs. Garvey sometimes stayed with her family during visits to Pittsburgh.
A 1932 graduate with high honors from Homestead High School, she received a scholarship to University of Pittsburgh, which she attended in 1932-34. She attended many Homestead Grays games at Forbes Field and recalls dancing with Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell and other players when they were in town. She became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority in 1934. Redwood married Carl E. Redwood Sr. and the couple had two children: Janet L. Thompson (deceased) and Carl E. Redwood, Jr. of the Hill District.
She has lived in her house in Lincoln-Lemington for 49 years Currently, her interests include reading the Bible, spending time with her two grandsons, and exercising. Her secrets to longevity are maintaining a healthy lifestyle and keeping a positive outlook on life.
