Lillie Finklea Activist / Cemetery Preservationist

Lillie Finklea (pictured on the right)

Activist / Cemetery Preservationist

Alexandria resident Lillie Finklea helped to protect the Civil War gravesites for African American “freedmen,” in Alexandria, Virginia. The George Washington Parkway and Beltway had compromised these graves, and when plans for the new Wilson Bridge were proposed, she appealed to the residents and officials of the City. In May 1997, Finklea, along with Louise Massoud, held a Memorial Celebration for the Freedmen’s Cemetery. In 2007, City mitigation funds were used to preserve the Cemetery.

Louise Massoud

Activist / Cemetery Preservationist

Alexandria resident Louise Massoud helped protect the Civil War gravesites for African American “freedmen,” in Alexandria, Virginia. The George Washington Parkway and Beltway had compromised these graves, and w hen plans for the new Wilson Bridge were proposed, she appealed to the residents and officials of the City. She co-hosted the 1997 Memorial Celebration for the Freedmen’s Cemetery with Lillie Finklea. In 2007, City mitigation funds were used to preserve the Cemetery.