During Black History Month's reflection and celebration of the Black community's culture and achievements, the McKinney Area Democratic Club announced they would again offer a scholarship for the Chamber of Commerce Leadership McKinney educational program. The scholarship is named in honor of Ruby Gross (Hines) Babers.

The MADC scholarship committee is pleased to announce they selected Ms. Lisa Washington of Lead By Example as this year's recipient. Ms. Washington impressed the committee with her commitment to her community, her active involvement in city issues, and her unwavering spirit of volunteerism designed to improve the lives of others around her.

Born and raised in McKinney, Ms. Washington is employed by MFS Investment and is the Enrollment Director for Ambit Energy. Ms. Washington also founded a local nonprofit that works with at-risk seniors to meet their physical and psychological needs for appreciation and interaction. Recently named the 2023 Zeta Phi Beta Woman of the Year, Ms. Washington is well-known for her senior health and wellness advocacy in City Hall and beyond. 

Mrs. Ruby Gross Hines Babers, the scholarship's namesake, was the beloved grandmother of McKinney Area Democrats Board member Ms. Tonya Babers Dangerfield. Born in Dallas in 1925 to teenage parents and raised by her grandmother, Mrs. Babers worked as a maid during the day, worked nights cleaning the Wilson Building in downtown Dallas, and checked groceries on Saturdays as a cashier – all while raising her children as a single mother. In the early 1960s, Mrs. Babers tried to purchase a home. Since banks would not lend to an unmarried or divorced woman, Mrs. Babers was forced to ask her ex-husband to put her house in his name. Although he never contributed financially, his name remained on her house until the early 1970s, when the Supreme Court finally struck down gender discrimination in lending and she was able to transfer the title to her name.

Mrs. Babers loved her family and lamented the fact she had to work so much when her children were young. She wished she could have remained in school to learn skills that would have allowed her to lead a different kind of life. But because of the great sacrifices Mrs. Babers made, her children led good lives and could help provide for their children. Mrs. Babers, a fierce advocate of education, pushed for her children and grandchildren to learn as much as possible to ensure their success. 

Each year, to celebrate Mrs. Babers' legacy and to provide opportunities for residents of color to thrive in our community, the McKinney Area Democratic Club invites Leadership McKinney participants to apply for a tuition scholarship. The Club considers applicants who are persons of color (who do not identify as "White" for census purposes) and who have been approved for the upcoming year's class for Leadership McKinney.  It is the Club's belief that each scholarship recipient can take this educational seed and begin to grow and shine in their community as they create a better life for themselves and their descendants. 

For more information, please visit mckinneydemocrats.org/blackhistorymonth