FemmeNoir
A Web Portal For Lesbians Of Color

Wanda R. Alston
Director, Office of Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs

Wanda Alston served as the special assistant to the Mayor for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Affairs since November 2001. In this role, she served as a liaison between the District government and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Through Ms. Alston's efforts, the LGBT community has achieved greater representation on District government boards and commissions. In addition, she has worked with the Office of Human Rights and the Department of Employment Services to establish sensitivity training for all government agencies. She also worked with family court judges in the District to create a mentoring program for children in foster care who have self-identified as LGBT.

Ms. Alston was the community coordinator supervisor for the District of Columbia government's Office of the Public Advocate and Director of Operations for the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice. She was the Mayor's liaison to the US Census Bureau from 1999-2000.

Prior to working for the District of Columbia Government, Ms. Alston worked as a legal assistant for the law firm of Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson & Hand and as the events manager for the Human Rights Campaign. In 1997, Ms. Alston started Alston Consulting Services, a full-service firm specializing in political fundraising, event management and community relations for non-profit organizations.

From 1992-1996, Ms. Alston served as the executive assistant to Patricia Ireland, president of the National Organization for Women (NOW), and as a special projects director. In this position she helped to organize four national marches on Washington and one in San Francisco, co-led a NOW delegation to the World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, and served as the staff liaison to the National Rainbow Coalition.

Ms. Alston has received several community service awards: the 1994 Welmore Cook Award from DC Black Pride, Inc. given as the highest community service award by the Black LGBT community; the 1995 National Welfare Rights Union community award; and the DC Coalition of Black Lesbians, Gay Men and Bisexuals community service award, also in 1995. In 2004, she received the Trusted Servant Award from the Transgender Health Empowerment organization.

Ms. Alston received a Master of Business Administration in international management from Southeastern University in Washington, DC, and a Bachelor of Science in mass communications from Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA. She also graduated from the District of Columbia's Certified Public Manager program. Ms. Alston currently serves on the DC Commission on Women, is a former co-chair of the DC Coalition of Black Lesbians, Gay Men & Bisexuals, and served on the National Board of Directors for NOW from 1998-2000.

Source: http://www.glaa.org/archive/2004/lgbtaffairsofficerelease0908.shtml 
 

Police arrested a suspect in the murder of Wanda Alston, 45, who was found stabbed to death in her home in Washington D.C. on May 16, 2005.  According to a Washington Post article, the suspect, 38-year-old William Parrot lived two doors away from Alston in Northeast Washington.  Parrot was charged with armed, first-degree murder, and was apprehended a few blocks away from where police found Alston's car.  On Friday, May 18, Parrot was arraigned and charged with the murder.  Parrot told police he was high on crack and armed with a knife Wednesday afternoon, knocked on Alston's door. 

In a videotaped statement, William Martin Parrott Jr., 38, told police he attacked Wanda R. Alston after she let him into her home. Afterward, Parrott said, he took Alston's car and drove to numerous gas stations, where he used her credit cards to buy fuel for other drivers in exchange for cash.  He said he used the money to get high again.

Wanda Alston's slaying stunned city officials, activists and friends.  A visibly shaken DC Mayor Tony Williams commented publicly Thursday morning saying she was someone "he admired" and called her death a tragic loss for the city.  In a statement, Williams said his "heart is broken." 

Our prayers go out to all who knew her, worked with her, those whose life she touched, and more importantly, to her longtime partner, Stacey Long, who unfortunately was the one who found her. 

A Tribute to Wanda Alston -- A Time of Healing was held at Unity Fellowship Church Washington, D.C.  Doors opened to the GLBT community for a time of healing as they mourned the loss of a warrior in our community...Wanda Alston

Saturday, March 19, 2005 @ Noon

Location
1226 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, D.C.
Inside Luther Place Memorial Church
Let us come together, brothers and sisters in the GLBT community and our allies for a time of healing.
Reverend Abena McCray, Pastor

For information call 202-246-6299 or email reverend.abena@verizon.net

FUNERAL SERVICE
Monday, May 21, 2005
9 a.m. through 11 a.m. - Viewing of Wanda Alston
Service starts @ 11 a.m.

All Souls Unitarian Church
1500 Harvard St, NW
(entrance at corner of 16th St, NW & Harvard St, NW)
Parking: There is parking available at Upper Cardozo Health Center 2 blocks from the church.
Metro: Columbia Heights Metro is within 2 blocks of the church
 

NOW's tribute to Wanda Alston:  http://www.now.org/history/alston.html
Vallerie Wagner:  A tribute to the life of Wanda Alston
Keith Boykin's Article: The Life and Death of Wanda Alston
A Life Remembered:  The LGBT community grieves the loss and celebrates the life of advocate and friend Wanda Alston

NOTE:  The following articles and/or videos may no longer be available on the net. 

NEWS:  ABC 7's Video and Article from the Memorial Service:  Friends Remember Alston as Funny, Brilliant Activist

 W*USA 9's Video and Article Memorializing the Life of Wanda Alston and the Memorial Service

Washington Post Article:  Slain D.C. Official's Mission to Unite Carries On
Mourners Share How Activist Inspired, Led, Sought Justice

W*USA9 News Related Video: 
Features story and interview with Donna Payne (NBJC, HRC)
Alston Murdered By Neighbor, Says Police (Features Video On Wanda Alston)
Keith Boykin's Article: The Life and Death of Wanda Alston
Washington Post Article:  Arrest Made in Alston Slaying
                                                 Tips Aid Police in Alston Arrest
RawStoryQ:  Wanda Alston, Washington DC Mayor’s LGBT liaison is murdered in her home
Advocate:  Man charged with killing gay rights activist Wanda Alston
365 Gay:  Neighbor Charged In DC Gay Activist Wanda Alston's Murder