Happy Black History Month! February is Black History Month! Independence has a rich history of many famous African Americans, including Vietta Garr. Granddaughter of Emily Fisher, Vietta is known for her service to Harry and Bess Truman and her community. She worked as a cook and housekeeper for the Truman's for nearly 40 years. Vietta also helped raise Margaret, Truman's daughter. The two shared a strong bond that lasted into Margaret's adulthood, with Vietta accompanying her on many outings. Once Truman took office as President, Vietta was known around the White House for her meals of steam fried chicken, baked Virginia ham, sweet potatoes and Harry favorite -- angel food cake. Outside of her work, Vietta was well known throughout the African American community for her involvement in the Second Baptist Church and Daughters of the Tabor, a society for African Americans that aimed to spread Christianity and education. She was on of few guests invited to Harry Truman's funeral, and Bess Truman would make one of her last public appearances to Vietta's funeral.
Congratulations to our I-Star award recipient Tauvasa Faletagoai, a Property Maintenance Officer in our Community Development Department, is the February I-Star award recipient. Thank you for all you do, Tauvasa!