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Empowering WARD 5 for Positive Change
My Vision for Ward 5
I believe Ward 5 has the potential to be a shining example of city living in the District of Columbia. Every resident has the potential to enjoy an excellent quality of life that includes safe streets, excellent schools, quality housing and economic vitality. Every Ward 5 resident should feel proud to call Ward 5 home; friends, workers and visitors should enjoy spending time in our ward. I envision a ward with the resources to allow every Ward 5 resident to thrive, dream, create and enjoy a better life.  How do we get there?

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Kathy Henderson's Accomplishments
 
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Awards and Honors

A Solid Thirteen-Year Record of Real Community Involvement and Accomplishment

 

  • Named one of People magazine’s “Heroes for 2005” for working to rid the community of drug dealers and criminals
  • Featured on the Montel Williams Show
  • Named one of Essence magazine’s “25 of the World’s Most Inspiring Women” 2006
  • 5D Citizens Advisory Council Civilian of the Year 2009
  • 5D PSA 504 Civilian Award 2005
  • U.S.Attorney’s Office Excellence in Community Service Award 2004
  • Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency Commitment to Excellence Award 2008
  • Ward 5 Democrats 2005 Achievement Award
  • 5D Commander’s Award for Sponsoring Community Walks 2008
  • Advisory Neighborhood Commission Citizen of the Year Award 2010
  • 3 Toastmaster’s International First Place Speaking Awards, 2007 and 2009
  • Served eight years as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner
  • Worked effectively with neighbors, police, District and Federal partners to reduce   crime by 63% in her Ward 5 community
  • Delivered neighborhood improvements such as new streetlights, sidewalks, paved alleys, new roadways and the Starburst Plaza
  • Served as an At-Large Member of the DC Democratic State Committee and chairman Of the Statehood Committee, advocating for voting rights
  • Served five years as a Member of the DC Historic Preservation Review Board, protecting the District’s landmarks
  • Successfully advocated for the creation of Bill 16-0335 “Protection of District of Columbia Public Officials and Employees Act of 2005”
  • I Serve as a Citizen Forester with Casey Trees.

 
     
 

Making a Difference

5D Court Watch

In 2008, Kathy Henderson received a disturbing email regarding Kerstan Leonard, an individual accused of killing one person and wounding two others. Despite ample probable cause to remand Mr. Leonard to custody until trial, he was released without restrictions. Mr. Leonard did not attend a scheduled court hearing and the presiding judge decided to address the matter after he returned from a holiday trip. Kathy Henderson quickly mobilized city residents through listservs to demand the presiding judge take appropriate action to protect the public and thus, 5D Court Watch was born.

The initiative gives residents the opportunity to tell judges how a defendant’s crime(s) affects them; by completing a community impact statement at sentencing, residents are able to shut the revolving door on repeat offenders, helping to improve public safety. Superior Court Chief Judge Lee Satterfield, U.S. Attorney Ronald Machen and Police Chief Cathy Lanier support the Court Watch initiative, which empowers residents to reduce crime in their neighborhoods. The DC Council recently introduced legislation to give DC residents the right to submit community impact statements to the court.

Landlord Roundtable

In 2001, Kathy Henderson began holding regular “Landlord Roundtable” meetings to address property owners with problem tenants. Collaborating with representatives from the Fifth District Police Headquarters, Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, Department of Public Works, DC Housing Authority, Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency and the U.S. Attorney’s Office Kathy held property owners accountable for managing problem tenants. Property owners faced “civil forfeiture” penalties and monetary fines for non-compliance. Property owners were also motivated to keep their property free of trash and add security lighting and landscaping elements to improve conditions. The initiative began in Carver Terrace and broadened to include the Langston Terrace and Trinidad communities.