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Helen Newberry McDowell (photo coming Feb 14)
Washingtonian Centurion Educator (103 Years Old)
“God has given to every man, a place, a work and a destiny. Happiness and success depend on you finding your place in the plan of God. There is one thing you can do and you can do it better than anyone else. Until you find your job and do it, it will for all time and eternity remain undone. So you find your job and then you do it”
Rev. Charles W. Daniels
“To teach is to touch a life forever” certainly describes 103 year old Helen Newberry McDowell. From as far back as she can recall Mrs. McDowell’s professional goal was to become a teacher. Appointed as a teacher in the elementary school system in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, she taught on this level for four years before realizing in 1928 the need to further equip and enhance her teaching abilities. Mrs. McDowell enrolled at Howard University and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1930 and taught night school and summer school in Washington, DC, as a means of supplementing her finances for her studies in graduate school. She received her Masters degree in Education in 1932 and a Masters degree in English in 1942 from Howard University. From 1930--1973 she taught English in the Washington DC school system. To her regret, in 1973 she was retired because of the restrictive age limitations within the school system.
Knowing that she was not to leave her job undone, she found her place in God’s plan and pursued her passion for teaching. Mrs. McDowell is quoted as saying, “In my life’s work, I was happiest in the classroom.” She spent numerous hours as a volunteer teaching students to read, assisting with college entrance examination requirements, and attaining and maintaining jobs. Countless lives have been forever impacted by her many hours of volunteer work. A new measure of respect was attained when more than 350 former students from numerous parts of the United States attended her 100th year birthday gala held at the Blackburn Center at Howard University. Her dedication to education is further evidenced by her generous donations of more than a quarter million dollars to Bennett College, Howard University and the United Negro College Fund. Additionally, she has also contributed more than $75,000 to individual students, siblings, god-children, and friends in their pursuit of education.
Mrs. Helen Newberry McDowell met William L. Newberry on her first day at Bennett College in 1920 and they were married five years later and subsequently shared 50 years of marital bliss. William Newberry offered unwavering financial support in pursuing her dream of a college education and helping to rear six of her siblings.
In 1928 they relocated to Washington, DC, and shortly after their move; Mrs. Helen Newberry McDowell joined Asbury United Methodist Church where she continues her active membership.
Mrs. McDowell’s formal teaching career expanded in excess of 47 years. Her palatial home located at 2405 First Street, NW, commonly known as the Newberry House was the shared home of many activities. A domicile for Howard University students, weddings, parties and anniversaries were just a few of its annual events. During the course of four years, Newberry House housed more than 68 graduating ministers’ from Howard University’s School of Divinity. Over the course of 24 ensuing years, more than 400 students from the professional schools called Newberry House “home.” Her dedication to the furthering of education is widely known because of the many lives she touched with all the residents that passed through the Newberry House.
Upon their retirement, the Newberry’s relocated to Los Angeles, California for a period of twenty years where they joined Holman United Methodist Church and became active members and served in various capacities. They returned to Washington, DC in 1975 for the Bennett College 50th class reunion where, tragically, Mr. Newberry suffered a fatal heart attack.
In 1978 she married J.C. McDowell and upon his demise in 1986, she returned to Washington, DC, and has since resided since 1993.
At the blessed age of 103, Helen Newberry McDowell continues her teaching ministry, but it has assumed a non-traditional role. If you are fortunate to be her friend, relative, or acquaintance, you know that from spending even a small amount of time in her presence, Mrs. McDowell continues to minister in another manner in the form of teaching. Life lessons provide wisdom that only comes through living. Famous quotes, lessons learned, interjections of her favorite poetry and just plain common sense enhance the wealth of knowledge that she continues to impart.
Reflecting over her life, Mrs. McDowell maintains that the most rewarding years of her existence were the ones spent in the classroom. She continues to ascribe to the motto, “Let go of concerns for this world and let God be your guide into the divine world..”
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