Historical September 1979 report or notice. Dates, prices, contacts and institutional claims describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
It is not unusual to walk down a street in Washington Heights, ask a question about any neighborhood organization to a resident, and receive the answer, “Ask Anna, she’ll know about it.” Anna Busch and her family have lived in our neighborhood since 1967. She has witnessed the changes and conflicts that exist within a growing economically and racially integrated community and has been able to put her finger on a crucial factor in the welfare of such a neighborhood — understanding and cooperation.
One of the qualities evident in Anna’s life is her desire to bring people together to solve common problems. The list one could print of the activities she has been involved in reveals this. A major concern has been the need for understanding and cooperation between citizens and police. The “socials” she provided in her home several years ago were a big step forward in bringing the 7th District officers and the community together. She participated in the effort to get the 7th District police station moved to Yalem Center at Union and Enright. She has organized meetings in homes resulting in many families becoming block watchers and she has actively promoted the Operation Ident program.
In helping people to form block units she has strived for what she believes is the only answer for stabilizing a neighborhood from within — understanding and cooperation between those who live there now. She has been instrumental in showing that people can make a difference if they stick together. One example is when she chaired the Washington Heights’ effort to get the Norfolk and Western Railroad right-of-way fenced as a safety measure for residents. She is a charter member of Women’s Crusade Against Crime; an active member of St. Roch’s; a volunteer in the Aid to Victims of Crime; she has been active in Women for City Living; and she is a past board member of the People’s Health Clinic.
Anna has spent much effort and time in informing people of the services offered by the People’s Clinic and other neighborhood organizations. Her work with the Washington Heights Neighborhood Association has special meaning to her though, and along with directing the membership committee for many years she and her husband have supported and initiated many neighborhood functions.
Since 1971, she has been the executive secretary of the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council, a job in which she has dedicated herself to being an enthusiastic intermediary to help new and old residents find the assistance they need, no matter what amount of research or energy it takes.
And despite the ideological differences that have arisen among leadership, she has maintained the firm conviction that problems can only be handled by allowing and demanding that each party express their understanding and their perspectives honestly and freely.
Who is Anna Busch? She is a woman who believes in people learning how to help themselves. And she loves every minute of it.
Original photograph caption
Anna Busch. The Paper, September 1979, page 6. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Paper, September 1979.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1979_09.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
