MUST LIVE IN WORCESTER AND BE A REGISTERED VOTER TO SIGN
Arries Ann Ward was born into slavery in 1862 in North Carolina.
After much adversity, the Ward Family moved to Massachusetts, eventually settling in Worcester. Arries was politically active and she maintained a strong matriarchal influence over her family and in the community, where she was known for her kindness, generosity, and love of children.
On February 27, 1957 Arries Ann Ward appeared on the television program This is Your Life. This national television program recognized the many hardships she experienced while living through such a historic time period and her many contributions to the local community. The city councilor George A. Wells and Mayor James Obrien presented Mrs. Ward with the Key to the City and also stated in a resolution that Laurel Street would be renamed Arries Ann Ward Street. Mrs. Ward died in 1959, she lived to be ninety-seven years old. Laurel Street was never renamed to honor Arries Ann Ward.
Please help and sign this petition to have the street name changed to honor Mrs. Ward as it was previously stated by previous city councilor and mayor of Worcester.
Arries Ann Ward was a former slave who resided in Worcester, Massachusetts. In Worcester, Mrs. Ward was very politically active, served as a influencial matriarchial figure in the community and was known for her kindness, generosity, and love of children. After appearing on the national television program "This is Your Life in 1957, city councilor George A. Wells and Mayor James Obrien stated in a resolution that Laurel Street would be renamed Arries Ann Ward street to honor Mrs. Ward. We, the undersigned below thank you for your time in reading this letter and considering this petition, and would greatly appreciate expeditious actions upon request of this petition.
