In 2007, the Outstanding Citizen Committee honored someone who was not a well-known figure in the city. Barbara Likowski worked quietly “behind the scenes” for over 36 years as a member of the Greenbelt News Review staff. She served as assistant editor and, in later years as her health declined, as assistant editor emerita. For more than 30 years, she was one of the most diligent, hard-working News Review editors. She rarely missed Tuesday’s editing deadline and frequently performed make-up duties on Wednesdays. She doggedly gathered details for obituaries and was a top notch proofreader. Rarely did a spelling or grammatical error get by Barbara.
As second in command when the editor was away, Barbara assumed every task necessary for putting the paper together. She frequently spent long hours at the News Review office, not leaving until all was accomplished. She maintained high professional standards and didn’t tolerate those who gave less than their best efforts.
Barbara was also an educator and for many years served as a substitute teacher and as an after-school aide at Greenbelt Elementary School. This Outstanding Citizen toiled with little recognition until 2007 when the community bestowed accolades on her for her many accomplishments. On September 1, 2016, Barbara died at age 89, having lived in the 6 Court of Hillside Road for 50 years. She was characterized by her determined spirit and hard work, an unassuming woman who never sought praise but led by example.
Thus, not all of Greenbelt’s Outstanding Citizens have been visible activists in the community. Some, like Barbara Likowski, worked in relative obscurity. Do you know any such hidden treasures? Go to greenbeltlaborday.com/events-and-activities/Outstanding-Citizen to find nomination forms and instructions. Help find the Outstanding Citizen for 2017.