Oral History of Joyce B. Siegel

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Authors

Siegel, Joyce B.

Issue Date

1972-03-22

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Language

en_US

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Abstract

Joyce Siegel was interviewed by Margaret Cutler of the League of Women Voters over three sessions in the spring of 1972. Siegel recalls her introduction to the historically African-American community of Scotland in the early 1960s, and talks about her involvement and leadership in the implementation of that community's housing project. Topics include grass-roots organization of faith-based community leaders and government officials; early frustrations with various county commissions and other government structures; threats to Scotland from land acquisition; use of publicity; trash clean-up; the formation of the Save Our Scotland committee (later Scotland Community Development, Inc.), application for federal grants; Legal and financial difficulties; disparities between Black and white communities at the time; the process of acquiring clear title to the land owned by Scotland residents, organization of social and educational programs; acquisition of transportation services to Scotland; financing and legislation for new subsidized housing; conflicts with FHA requirements on rental properties; challenges with affordable units not fulfilling expectations; Council rezoning; relocation of families and the building process; financing of owned homes; lessons learned.

Description

Joyce B. Siegel has been active in Montgomery County as a community leader and activist primarily in the area of equal opportunity housing for more than 60 years. She was born in Brooklyn, New York and came to Montgomery County with her husband Alan and three children in 1962. She attended Smith College and Towson State Teachers College, and has degrees from the University of Southern California and the University of Maryland. Siegel was active in numerous civic and community associations, including the League of Women Voters and the West Fernwood Civic Association, which she founded in 1962. In public service, she worked as the community relations/public information officer for the Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission, as well as serving on the Boards of the Scotland Community Development, Inc. and the Community Action Committee.

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Publisher

League of Women Voters