Write a clerihew, a whimsical four-line biographical poem in AABB rhyming structure, on a Washingtonian you've researched. While the original clerihew was a satirical look at an individual, the DC History Center encourages the use of the art form to celebrate Washingtonians whose accomplishments and impacts may not be widely known - but should be!
Here are some examples:
Reginald H. Booker and the ECTC
fought hard for residents (and the tree canopy)
Their vision for DC, for justice, not freeways
saved DC communities, their culture and greenways
- Flora L.
Senator John Sherman bought 121 acres
a true community maker.
He named the new area Columbia Heights
a residential hub that is now lively at night.
- Erica F.
William "Pop" Saunders, a Metrobus laborer turned driver,
worked his way up to train supervisor
Breaking barriers in transportation,
a pioneering African American in the heart of the Nation!
- K & G
Christian Heurich, a German brewer of the old tradition
whose brewery survived fire and Prohibition
came to DC determined not to fail
and ruled the market for lager and ale.
- Brian Q.
Andrew Carnegie, philanthropist,
With boundless wealth could not resist
Giving us libraries and civic spaces
In Washington, Pittsburgh, and other places.