Minnie Elliott 88th Birthday Recognition Resolution of 2026

ENROLLED ORIGINAL
1

A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

26-131

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

February 3, 2026

To honor and celebrate the life of Mrs. Minnie Elliott on the occasion of her 88th birthday, and
to recognize her decades of service to the Washington, D.C. community.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Minnie Elliott was born on February 5, 1938, in Washington, D.C., to
James William Cook and Estelle Cook;

WHEREAS, Mrs. Elliott gained her passion for public service from her father, who
trained and employed returning citizens from Lorton Prison, and provided meals to those in need
in their neighborhood;

WHEREAS, Mrs. Elliot was deeply invested in her community from a young age as she
was surrounded by the effects of segregation, and she later marched for the integration of
McKinley High School;

WHEREAS, Mrs. Elliott was a student in D.C. Public Schools and later attended college,
with an interest in urban renewal and development;

WHEREAS, Mrs. Elliott married William Elliott, a member of the U.S. Airforce, at the
Holy Redeemer Catholic Church;

WHEREAS, Mrs. Elliott went on to raise 6 children, and has proudly raised both
grandchildren and great-grandchildren;

WHEREAS, Mrs. Elliott spent time working at the National Institutes of Health, and as a
counselor for underserved children;

WHEREAS, Mrs. Elliott also worked as a District Government employee, later retiring
from D.C. Public Schools;

WHEREAS, in the 1990s, Mrs. Elliott moved to the Brookland Manor Apartments
complex, located in Ward 5, to raise her grandchildren;
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
2

WHEREAS, Mrs. Elliott’s experiences at Brookland Manor led to her establishing the
Brookland Manor/Brentwood Village Residents Association, as a way of initially addressing
ongoing maintenance and safety issues;

WHEREAS, Mrs. Elliott served as President of the Residents Association, expanding the
work of the Association to assist Seniors, prevent displacement of residents, and preserve
affordable housing;

WHEREAS, Mrs. Elliott later connected with the Edgewood/Brookland Family Support
Collaborative, which brough a wealth of resources to the residents of Brookland Manor,
including a weekly food bank distribution; and

WHEREAS, on February 5, 2026, Mrs. Elliott will celebrate her 88th birthday, a
remarkable milestone rooted in decades of commitment to her community.

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Minnie Elliott 88th Birthday Recognition Resolution of 2026”.

Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia joins the family and friends of Mrs.
Minnie Elliott in wishing her a happy 88th birthday, and celebrates her milestone and her long-
standing dedication to the residents of Ward 5 and the D.C. community.

Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.