My wife, Bailey, and I were Mount Washington neighbors and dear friends of Bettyjean Murphy and her family. I was also privileged to be Bettyjean’s attorney and represented her in many of her community development projects.
I commend Fred Rasmussen on his obituary of Bettyjean and would add two comments (”Bettyjean C. Murphy, pioneering African American developer, historic preservationist and community activist, dies,” Jan. 29). First and foremost, Bettyjean was a devoted mother and grandmother who cherished her children and grandchildren. As the first African American woman developer in Baltimore, she was able to balance her time between business and family, and was always there for her children. Second, she was able to create a successful business with a social purpose. She achieved her objectives of historic preservation, improving neighborhoods and creating affordable housing while at the same time running a viable enterprise and being a role model for women of color.
Bettyjean will be remembered for her dedication to family and contributions to improving Baltimore.
Rest in peace, Bettyjean.
Stanley S. Fine, Baltimore
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