A trailblazing presence in city hall, Hartford neighborhood
Top city official spent a lifetime working for social justice and community growth
HARTFORD — Patricia Williams, a Freedom Rider who became a top city official in Hartford, dedicated her retirement years to expanding knowledge, opportunity and community in the neighborhoods.
Williams was twice mistaken for an intern when she first arrived at Hartford City Hall in 1978, about 30 years old and one of few African American staffers at the time. Hired as director of planning, she ended her 24-year municipal career as deputy city manager only to spend the next two decades immersed in social justice causes and community development across the city.
“She always believed that when much is given (to you), much is expected,” said Mary Young, her life partner of 23 years. “You’re supposed to help. You’re supposed to give. That’s howyou’re supposed to live your life"
Williams died Jan. 13 following a brief illness. She was 73.
Even the day she was admitted to the hospital, Williams and Young were preparing for a toy drive for Upper Albany Neighborhood Collaborative, a group Williams helped direct since its founding in 1990. It was something they did every year, and a tradition Young intends to continue next year.
Loved ones and friends say Williams possessed the knowl
edge and vision of a leader, but not the ego.
Content to work behind the scenes, her efforts still garnered numerous honors over the years from local churches, nonprofits and the city — a collection of plaques and certificates that Williams would probably call “an embarrassment of riches,” said Young.
Williams was born in Des Moines, Iowa, one of seven children in a poor family that believed in the promise of education and the power of community involvement.
She was active in the 1960’s civil rights movement in Harlem, taking part in freedom rides and marches before earning a degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Iowa.
She started her career in Connecticut as an urban planner for the Capitol Region Council of Governments, then worked three years as the town planner for Glastonbury. She became Hartford’s planning director in
1978, using her position to forge relationships with community groups across the city.
Her work continued after she left city hall in 2002.
Just a year into retirement, Williams became the project manager for the redevelopment of the Dutch Point Colony public housing development, which was completed in 2008.
“Nobody could have built that in five years but her,” said Rev. Aaron Miller of Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford, located around the corner from Dutch Point in the Sheldon-Charter Oak neighborhood.
Williams held the top administrative position at the church when Miller joined as the pastor. They worked together for six years before Williams stepped back from the role, though he said her participation never waned.
Every Sunday, Williams could be found greeting attendees at
the door of the small church, singing in the choir, stocking the bathrooms with paper towels — anything but sitting, Miller said.
A proud grandmother of two, Williams attended bible study every week, often bringing conversation to a halt with her spiritual insights, and was eager to join any actions for social justice, from protesting deportations last year to marching downtown this spring in the wake of the death of George Floyd.
“That’s who she was, a champion for civil rights, always a champion for the right thing, equal opportunity and equal justice,” Miller said. “The work was never going to be done but she was satisfied with what she did toward that cause and to move that needle.”
Williams was active in numerous community groups, including the Upper Albany Neighborhood Revitalization Zone, University of Hartford University Park Committee, Upper Albany Development, Inc., Hartford Housing Authority Westbrook Village Local Planning Committee, The Leadership Roundtable, and the Anti-Litter Campaign.
She was most devoted to the Upper Albany Neighborhood Collaborative. There, she used her experience in government to help residents navigate complicated programs and problems,
Young said.
She helped residents work through issues with their taxes, and told residents whoto call to report potholes or apply for a permit.
“She was a change agent,” Young said. “And she liked giving people the knowledge. She wanted to teach you how to fish, not just give you some fish.
“She was my hero — my shero, I should say.”
A virtual memorial service will be live streamed on Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m., through Howard K. Hill Funeral Services at www.hkhfuneral services.com.