DC Mayor's Gay Liaison Murdered
by Doreen Brandt 365Gay.com from the Web, March 17, 2005
Washington -- Wanda R. Alston, Washington Mayor Tony Williams' liaison to the gay community, has been found murdered in her home.
The body was discovered by her partner on returning to the Northeast Washington home Wednesday night.
Police Chief Charles Ramsey said Alston was lying face down, in a bloody crime scene.
The chief, along with other top members of the Williams cabinet arrived at the home as soon as the first police officers at the scene realized who the victim was.
Alston, 45, was considered a member of Williams's inner cabinet.
City Administrator Robert Bobb and school board president Peggy Cooper Cafritz arrived shortly after chief Ramsey.
Chief Ramsey told reporters that it was too early in the investigation to have a suspect or discuss a motive.
It appeared Alston had been stabbed, but no murder weapon has been found.
Ramsey said there was no sign of forced entry but noted that Alston's car was missing.
It was found Thursday afternoon and taken to a forensic sciences lab to collect evidence.
At a morning news conference Mayor Williams said he was in shock.
"Her contributions to the people of our city were really beyond measure," Williams said.
"All of us remember her as a passionate energetic woman who spoke for those who were unable to speak for themselves."
Williams said Alston did not show up for her afternoon appointments on Wednesday.
Alston is a longtime activist. She has served as co-chair of the DC Coalition of Black Lesbians, Gay Men & Bisexuals.
She also worked at the Human Rights Campaign as an events manager and later went on to establish a political consulting firm, Alston Consulting Services, Inc.
"Wanda was an incredible woman and the profound meaning of her loss cannot be overstated," said Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese.
"Wanda's reach went far beyond Washington. She left her mark on the nation.
Wanda exemplified the spirit of activism that awakens the masses and ultimately wins equality.
While she has been tragically taken from the community, her spirit will never die."
In 1992, Alston served as the executive assistant to the president of the National Organization of Women, Patricia Ireland, and later as the special projects director where she helped to organize four national marches in Washington, DC and one in San Francisco.
Alston was a founding member of the National Stonewall Democrats, serving as a former board member and was active in the organization's DC chapter
-- the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club.
"Stonewall is saddened by the loss of our friend, and one of our community's finest leaders," said Eric Stern, NSD Executive Director.
"Wanda Alston helped foster the creation of our national organization in 1998, and continued to increase the visibility of LGBT Americans, especially LGBT Americans of color, among the residents of the District of Columbia and among Democrats throughout the country."
Williams named Alston his special assistant for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs in 2001.
Last September the mayor raised her position to a Cabinet-level.
At the time of her murder Alston had been preparing for Williams' first gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender summit currently scheduled for April 30.
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