Hamm, Dorothy Mae (Bigelow), 1919-2004

Individual

AboutDorothy M. Hamm (1919-2004), was a civil rights activist in Arlington, Virginia. Notably, she worked to desegregate Arlington Public Schools and theaters, eliminate the poll tax, and remove race designation from public forms and voting records in the county. She also became the first African American elected to a political party in Arlington County when she was elected to represent the Woodlawn precinct for the Democratic Committee. Dorothy Hamm also wrote several plays to promote African-American history and culture in the area, which were subsequently presented at local festivals and events, such as the 1976 bicentennial celebration.

Dorothy Hamm and her husband moved to the Hall’s Hill/High View Park neighborhood around 1950 and built their own home at 1900 N Cameron Street. They quickly became involved in the community and were active in their neighborhood association, the John M. Langston Citizens Association. Each served on several committees and in leadership positions. Dorothy even served as president of the citizens association during the 1960s and 1970s. Her husband Leslie served as the community representative to the Arlington County neighborhood conservation program to improve streets, gutters, sidewalks, and curb appeal in the Hall’s Hill/Highview Park neighborhood.

Life Span1919 – 2004
RG 349: Dorothy M. Hamm Papers Related people Hamm, Edward Leslie, Sr., 1917-2013
Bigelow, James M., Sr., 1928-1983