Arlene Davis-Rudd, icon, daughter of New Haven, died peacefully on April 3, 2019.
Arlene was known for her life long commitment to improving the lives of others and advocating for marginalized communities both locally and nationally. This tireless advocate was a seasoned politico and trusted journalist, determined to preserve Black History. Her brilliant mind, quick wit and warm heart were loved and admired by all who knew her.
Born in New Haven on March 13, 1937, this incredible woman’s legacy began in the late 1940s when she was a student at Winchester Elementary School, where she became the poster child for The Community Chest Project. During middle school, she volunteered for the Red Cross Youth Program and the March of Dimes.
In the early 1950s while a student at Hillhouse High School, she joined the NAACP’s youth group. Before her graduation, she was elected statewide secretary of the NAACP’s CT Conference of Branches. Throughout her early years and continuing into her later adult years, Arlene was involved in several local church activities such as the Young People’s Fellowship weekly program at St. Luke’s Church, the Dixwell Community House’s special religious projects, and other youth-related weekly activities at her home church, Varick A.M.E. Zion Church.
With the 1960s came change for the country and for Arlene, who became a devoted wife and mother. Revolution was in the air; the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Power Movement, the Women’s Movement the Anti-War Movement, and she was there, on the forefront, fighting for equality and justice.
From picket lines to strategy sessions, from the Black Panthers to the White House, Arlene remained energized, committed and devoted to long-standing social change. As a member of the Bridgeport Chapter of the Black Panther Party, she served breakfast, daily at the A.M.E. Zion Church in Bridgeport to young children throughout the neighborhood, as part of their Breakfast Program, one of their most successful initiatives.
Before going to work for Action for Bridgeport Community Development (ABCD) under the Directorship of Mr. Charles Tisdale, the ever-ambitious Arlene, also volunteered her services to the Board of Education, under the leadership of then Bridgeport Schools Superintendent Howard Rosenstein, as a member of his special task force. She, also, chaired the Housing Committee of the local Branch, NAACP.
In 1969, Arlene would become a delegate to the White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health, representing the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) throughout Connecticut. Appointed by former President, Richard Nixon, as one of the delegates to submit a plan for a nationwide School Lunch Program, Arlene was given the responsibility of helping to draft legislation for the federal Breakfast and Lunch Programs which was made law by Congress. This was considered landmark legislation, guaranteed to improve the lives of all children throughout our nation.
The amazing Arlene was not only an activist, but she is also a journalist, a writer, and missionary.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Arlene remained passionate and focused on creating better opportunities and a level playing field for all disenfranchised citizens. She continued her devoted service to the A.M.E. Zion Church and the NCNW. Upon moving to New York City in the 1970s to work for Black Enterprise Magazine, she immediately became involved with youth projects in Harlem where she resided. Arlene also took classes at Bernard Baruch College in the evening.
Arlene continued her activism and writing, back in Connecticut becoming a member of CT Women in the Media. While residing in Windham and working in broadcast journalism as a newscaster, Arlene also found time to head up the local NAACP; serve on the Affirmative Action Commission and the Windham Community Development Board of Directors. Her tenure there lasted over a decade.
After returning to her hometown of New Haven in 1987, Arlene became involved with the re-election campaign of former Mayor Ben DiLieto. Politics, too, was a passion of hers ever since her teenage years. Once elected, Mayor DiLieto hired her to work in the Office of Development Administration. As she moved along her political journey, she worked for the campaign to elect Toni Harp to the State Senate and served in Hartford as Harp’s first legislative aide. She continued her service as a campaign worker for each of Harp’s winning re-election bids.
Even after suffering a major stroke in 2004, Arlene remained determined to continue her community engagement and advocacy. She continued on as the political writer for The Inner City; contributing writer for African American Point of View; contributing writer for the City of New Haven’s Elderly Services newsletter and served as a commissioner on the Aging Commission for the City of New Haven. Arlene was also a highly valued member of the Tower One Tower East community, where she was known for organizing political and cultural events.
She is survived by her daughter Dawn Rudd, her longtime love Marc Charon, countless cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and nephews as well as extended family and a community of friends. She is predeceased by her parents, John and Leora Davis, her brother, John Davis Jr., and former husband, Matthew Stanford Rudd lll.
There are no words to adequately express the weight of this loss for family members, those who were blessed to call her friend and the communities she impacted for over seven decades. Arlene Davis-Rudd’s legacy will forever live in our hearts, minds, and spirits.