Community activist and volunteer Viola 'Vi' Hawkins celebrates 85th birthday

On Sunday, October 13, 2024 community leader, activist and volunteer Viola “Vi” Hawkins celebrated her milestone 85th birthday at the Historic Tripoli Shrine Center, 3000 W. Wisconsin Ave. Vi has been a servant within the community since 1961. Her volunteer accomplishments span more than 60 years.

She began her volunteering as a Grey Lady for the Red Cross, and has been a member of the League of Women Voters. She became a voter registrar and poll worker, Cub Scouts and Explorers Post leader of Boy Scouts of America, church council member, and Milwaukee County Statement Program. She served as a board member of the following organizations: Dineen Park Neighborhood Org., Jobs with Peace Org., Interfaith Older Adults, Madison State Aging Advisory, MCDA Commissioner, Revitalize Milwaukee, Milwaukee Safety & Civic Commissioner, and she created the Jazzy Jewels Dance Troupe. Most recently she became an MATC. Foundation Board member and has developed a Vi Hawkins Grassroot Scholarship at MATC. She has marched alongside the late Father Groppi, Rev. Jesse Jackson and other local and national political activist and spiritual leaders.

At her party many in the audience of friends, family, community and church leaders came forward to give thanks and shared their praise for the work she has done. There were also many of the people she has helped through her work, who spoke of the positive impact she had on their life by giving them the encouragement and support they needed to be the best they can be.