What are leaders made of? Consistency, vision, adaptability, dedication, and a passion for those you serve. With over 40 years of service to senior citizens, Cathy Davis is a great example of what leadership looks like in action.
Who is Cathy Davis? She was a young woman who moved to San Francisco and began working with Bayview Senior Services in 1978 at the age of 24. Her goal? To work with seniors. What happened? A lifetime of service to a community and generations of people she knows and loves. She met her husband, Dr. George Davis, and together they served, organized, and advocated for the long-term African American residents of San Francisco’s historic Bayview Hunters Point. Together they purchased the organization’s first building, creating a space for seniors in their community. That wasn’t enough. Soon they began work on the next step: affordable housing for those who had lived in the neighborhood for decades and feared they would be unable to age in their community with dignity, honor, and respect
It took a very long time for the vision to come to life, but they never wavered. Dr. Davis and Cathy – as they were referred to – organized residents, collaborated with others, and engaged influencers at the highest levels: former-S.F. Mayor Willie Brown, the late U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein, former-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and others to advocate on their behalf year-after-year.
The 2016 ribbon cutting for the Dr. George W. Davis Senior Center and Residence was a huge celebration. Though Dr. Davis did not live to see the vision fulfilled, Cathy did everything possible to bring it to life, and the community is the winner. Today over 120 seniors and people with disabilities have affordable housing in their neighborhood, with a full range of services right next door. The organization has continued to grow as Cathy has answered the calls of residents and city leaders. Today Bayview Senior Services manages five sites, with six major programs, serving 3500 residents and growing.
Cathy has stayed busy, building and managing a responsive team; collaborating with other organizations and agencies; and in her spare time donating a kidney to friend in need. You can’t say “no” to Cathy – you can try, but she will come back to you until together you get to “yes.” She knows the needs of those she serves and is a fierce advocate for them. Now she is turning 70 and her community is celebrating her with a fundraising campaign for – you guessed it! – Bayview Senior Services.
We’ve said it once, and we will say it again: be careful when casting doubt on what “seniors” can accomplish. Cathy is just one example of leaders across our country who build and sustain strong community relationships that span decades. She is an example of those who consistently work hard, with a vision but necessarily recognition; one of many who go above and beyond and keep their eye on the vision while delivering on what’s needed today.
Copyright 2024 – Mel and Pearl Shaw of Saad&Shaw – Comprehensive Fund Development Services. Let us help you plan for 2024! Video and phone conferencing services are always available. Call us at (901) 522-8727. www.saadandshaw.com
