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Councilmember Anita Bonds Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr. 2
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Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. Councilmember Zachary Parker 6
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 15
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 18
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To honor and celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Sister Juanita Mary Tillman White, a 22
beloved community leader, advocate, and pillar of Ward 8, who passed away on Sunday, 23
June 21, 2026. 24
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WHEREAS, Sister Juanita Mary Tillman White, affectionately known as Mother, Sister, 26
Friend, Bahka, Advocate, Dr. White, and Ward 8 Mayor, was born in Foggy Bottom, Northwest 27
Washington, D.C., and later made her home in Barry Farms; 28
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WHEREAS, for more than seven decades, Sister Juanita White selflessly dedicated her 30
life to uplifting the most vulnerable residents of the District of Columbia, particularly in Wards 6 31
and 8, guided by her core principle “To love one another,” and her deep faith that “My life has no 32
meaning unless I am serving God”; 33
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WHEREAS, Sister Juanita White served as a tireless community organizer, hosting 35
parent workshops on health and wellness, organizing neighborhood watch programs, block 36
clean-up campaigns, voter registration and get out the vote drives, and serving as an Advisory 37
Neighborhood Commissioner, block captain, poll worker, and precinct captain; 38
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WHEREAS, she provided critical support to countless individuals and families by 40
recruiting participants into programs such as Pride, Inc. under Mayor Marion Barry, Covenant 41
House, Sasha Bruce House, Harambee House, Hanna’s House, and the Far Southeast 42
Collaborative, while offering meals, transportation to recovery meetings, empowerment training, 43
sewing classes, and acting as “Grandma/Bahka” to generations of children in her community; 44
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WHEREAS, Sister Juanita White championed civic engagement by organizing support 46
for the March on Washington, the Million-Man March, and many local and national candidates, 47
including multiple campaigns for District leaders, while earning recognition as a Ward 8 super 48
voter; 49
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WHEREAS, her international travels to Haiti, Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Cuba 51
were marked by extraordinary generosity as she consistently gave away clothing, food, and 52
personal belongings to support those in need and build meaningful cross-cultural relationships; 53
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WHEREAS, throughout her life, Sister Juanita White received numerous honors for her 55
service, including the WHUR-FM 96.3 “Goldie Award” for Best Community Leader (2021), the 56
Ben’s Chili Bowl Award for Best Community Leader and Activist (2023), the Legend and 57
Legacy Award, Outstanding Service to Families Award, and many others, and was recently 58
featured in exhibitions such as “Food for the People” at the Anacostia Museum and “The 59
Prescription Is HOME” at Mason Exhibitions; 60
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WHEREAS, on May 30, 2026, she was honored at the opening of the Frederick Douglass 62
Food Pantry, continuing her lifelong commitment to service even in her 90th year; 63
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WHEREAS, Sister Juanita White’s passing on Sunday, June 21, 2026, leaves a profound 65
void in Ward 8 and across the District of Columbia, yet her legacy of compassion, leadership, 66
and unwavering service will continue to inspire future generations; 67
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RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 69
resolution may be cited as the “Sister Juanita Mary Tillman White Remembrance Recognition 70
Resolution of 2026.” 71
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Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia honors and celebrates the remarkable life 73
of Sister Juanita Mary Tillman White, expresses its deepest condolences to her family, friends, 74
and the entire Ward 8 community, and extends profound gratitude for her more than seventy 75
years of transformative service to the District of Columbia. 76
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Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in 78
the District of Columbia Register. 79