Rename Jefferson Davis Highway in Honor of West Ford

In a decision that was long overdue, the Alexandria City Council voted last September to rename the Jefferson Davis Highway, a stretch of US Route 1 that runs through their city. Now the question is what the street should be called instead. 

The highway is one of the main thoroughfares running southbound out of Washington, DC. As a resident of Alexandria who works in the district, I drive along the road almost every day. And every day I cringe when I see the street sign honoring the President of the Confederate States during the Civil War.

I am thrilled that the street's name will be changed, and I hope that the City Council will take this opportunity to honor someone who actually deserves it - West Ford.

Ford was one of George Washington's slaves who was freed after Hannah Washington, George Washington's brother's wife, died. He then led Washington's other freed slaves in creating Gum Springs on the banks of the Potomac River near Alexandria and Mount Vernon. Under Ford's leadership, Gum Springs became a refuge for freed and runaway slaves.

Please sign this petition to urge the Alexandria City Council to rename the Jefferson Davis Highway in honor of West Ford, a local historical figure who deserves the honor.