“I am a ‘people person’ and professionally trained to assist in conflict resolution,” explained Mary Baird Currie about her decision to enter politics in 1987 as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (ANC).

And for more than twenty years, the District government, the commissioners of ANC 5A and the constituents of Brookland/Turkey Thicket all listened to the advice of Commissioner Currie.

They listened when she insisted that the $12 million recreation center at Turkey Thicket be built—“even with political opposition and community opposition,” said Ms. Currie.

They listened when she held Catholic University accountable for the behavior of its students in the community, at a time when the university was in her district. “They said it in writing,” said Ms. Currie, explaining “that was a first.”

They listened when Hugh Kelly was opening Kellys’ Ellis Island Restaurant. Ms. Currie was convinced that the restaurant would be an asset to the community, despite the naysayers. “Mr. Kelly and I sold it to the community and it became a very positive contribution to our neighborhood,” said Ms. Currie.

Ms. Currie’s decision not to seek reelection in November will mean that the residents of Brookland/Turkey Thicket will go without the benefit of her experience and wisdom for the first time in memory.

Brookland resident John Porter has known Ms. Currie for more than 25 years. He applauded Ms. Currie’s accomplishments as well as her “spirit to speak out and fight for her constituents.”

Ms. Currie is looking forward to new plans and projects she will undertake in Maryland after moving closer to her son. “I am leaving Washington D.C. at the perfect time,” she said. Ever the active political mind, Ms. Currie added, “I am ready to make my next move.”

Ms. Currie is not at a loss for words regarding the challenges that will face the community and ANC 5A in her absence.

She laments the state of the public school system and the behavior of today’s youth. “Teachers are afraid of students, parents are attacking teachers—today, young people have no boundaries,” she said. Ms. Currie expressed profound concern regarding what she sees as the “wholesale destruction” of the DC Public School system.

Ms. Currie is also passionate about the Home Rule Charter and DC Statehood.

However, her views on the ability of the ANC to assert its rights as an independent governing body are not optimistic.

“Today, ANC Commissioners don’t quite get it,” she said. “They don’t seem to understand that they are a very powerful, independent unit and that their strength comes from working together to serve the people—not from being subservient to the political wishes of the councilmember.”

All this is a long way from North Carolina, where Ms. Currie was born into the Baird family. Her father operated the only slaughterhouse in the area, which grew to be very successful until it was destroyed by fire.

Forced to reinvent himself, Mr. Baird moved his family to Washington DC, where he opened two diners. “My father was well educated and loved cooking,” said Ms. Currie. One diner was on Kenilworth Avenue and the other diner—Benning Diner—was at 19th and Benning Road NE.

Benning Diner was open from the early 1940’s to the late 1960’s. A photo of Mr. Baird and the bustling counter at Benning Diner hangs in the entrance of Kellys’ Ellis Island Restaurant.

Ms. Currie did not follow her parents into the restaurant business. She pursued a college degree and spent some time as a professional singer. She recorded two records and was known for her extensive range, from soprano to contralto.

“We would visit Atlantic City and the Village among other venues during the summer months,” remembered Ms. Currie.

Ms. Currie’s skills as a “people person” ultimately drew her away from singing and into a career in psychology, education and public service.

Ms. Currie won’t go into detail about her upcoming plans but indicated she will be very politically active.

Her parting wish is to shed some wisdom on the folks she is leaving behind. Ms. Currie emphasized that “change and empowerment will only take place when ANC commissioners realize that true power emanates from the bottom up—from the people they are serving—and not from top down in the political structure.”