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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 11, 2023)
January 11, 2023 Page 5 Black Female Journalist and Civil Rights Advocate Honored YOU’VE GOT THIS. Pool signage will be updated for summer 2023 season (Photo courtesy of Portland Parks & Recreation) Wilson Outdoor Pool to be renamed Ida B. Wells-Barnett Outdoor Pool Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) and Parks Commissioner Carmen Rubio are pleased to an- nounce that the name of Wilson Outdoor Pool has been officially changed to Ida B. Wells-Barnett Outdoor Pool, honoring a Black female journalist and civil rights advocate. This is a historic first for PP&R — honoring a person of color with a facility name on the west side of Portland. Updated temporary signage reflecting the new name will be in place at the pool soon, with permanent mate- rials and signage in place ahead of the summer 2023 season. For years, community mem- bers have asked that both Wood- row Wilson High School and Wilson Outdoor Pool undergo name changes. Former President Wilson was known to be racist and held segregationist views. In January 2021, Portland Pub- lic Schools announced Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School as the new name for Woodrow Wilson High School after a community naming process. The pool, locat- ed at 1151 SW Vermont Street, is managed by PP&R separately from the school, so PP&R com- mitted to conducting its own name change process. Under the leadership of Di- rector Adena Long, PP&R began a process for renaming Wilson Outdoor Pool earlier this year through. For guidance, the bureau looked to its Naming of Parks, Natural Areas, Recreational Fa- cilities, and Regional Trails policy (Naming Policy). While seeking public input, PP&R staff were able to speak with more than 500 communi- ty members at in-person events across the city. About 275 submit- ted ideas during the submission period of July 5 - August 22, 2022. “It is a joy to have such a pop- ular recreational facility now bear the name of a noted civil rights activist, Ida B. Wells-Bar- nett,” said Commissioner Rubio. “This is the first Portland Parks & Recreation facility or park on the west side to honor a woman of color, a historic and significant step. This has been a gratifying start to a process of renaming some sites and facilities to better reflect our community’s values and inclusiveness.” Portland Parks Director Ade- na Long appointed a committee of community stakeholders to review naming suggestions from the community following the process outlined in the Naming Policy. The committee made the recommendation to rename the site Ida B. Wells-Barnett Outdoor Pool. Director Long and Com- missioner Rubio accepted the committee’s recommendation. “This is a key moment to re- introduce a popular community gathering place in a way that welcomes all Portlanders,” said Director Long. “The new name is a nod to the importance of Ida B. Wells-Barnett's work and leg- acy, and it honors a trail blazer who, frankly, deserves greater recognition. Commissioner Ru- bio and I thank the community members who worked thorough- ly and passionately on this re- naming process.” Community input and discus- sions resulted in support of Ida B. Wells-Barnett because of her sig- nificant legacy and service as an American journalist, civil rights activist, educator, and researcher. She was known for her leadership in speaking out against lynching and for fighting for women’s suffrage. She spoke and wrote to President Wilson in protest of segregation and discriminatory hiring practices. The committee recognized the significant en- gagement process undertaken by the students and staff of Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School in se- lecting their name. It was very important to com- mittee members that Ida B. Wells-Barnett be honored similar- ly to other PP&R facilities where the pool, park, and adjacent school all share the same name (such as Grant Pool, Park, and High School and the former Wilson High School and Pool). As a woman of color, the committee reasoned, Ms. Wells-Barnett should be given the same honor as white male leaders. Get job ready at Portland Community College. You’ve also got options. From short-term certificates that will strengthen your skills, to an associate degree that can advance your career, PCC has a program that meets your needs. START TODAY pcc.edu
