Bozman Awards Honor Arlington Affordable Housing Leaders

““Leadership is often defined as the ability to influence others toward the achievement of a goal. Our honorees together exemplify how the components of the affordable housing system must work in partnership.””

— Jenny Denney Lawson

On November 14, 2021, the Alliance for Housing Solutions (AHS) convened Arlington residents, housing advocates and leaders, and elected officials for the 13th annual Ellen M. Bozman Affordable Housing Award celebration. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the event was held virtually via Zoom.

AHS Board Chair Jenny Denney Lawson opened the ceremony by recognizing the late Ellen Bozman’s life of service and inviting the audience to share their thoughts, feelings, and messages for the honorees throughout the event using the virtual feedback tool Mentimeter.

Audience members share their feelings at the beginning of the evening via Mentimeter.

Lawson acknowledged that while the Bozman Awards are usually a celebratory affair, this year’s event was tempered by the seriousness of the continuing pandemic as well as by the many challenges and issues facing the community. She began the honoree introductions by recognizing the true heart of affordable housing—its residents.

 “Residents are why we do what we do and why we all care so deeply about the impact that we’re trying to have in the community,” said Lawson.

Board member Kellen MacBeth introduced the first award recipient, Elder Julio Basurto, who was honored for his efforts to build the power and voices of affordable housing tenants in Arlington. As a former resident of the Serrano Apartments, Basurto has dedicated countless hours over the past several years to improving unsafe living conditions in the buildings. After first serving as an interpreter for other residents, Basurto became an advocate to ensure that all Serrano tenants had access to safe, habitable apartments and were treated with the respect and dignity they deserved.

“We forgive the past but are looking closely at the future. There is still work to be done. We need your support for change.”

— Elder Julio Basurto

With the help of many partners—including VOICE, BU-GATA, ASHPA, and the Arlington Chapter of the NAACP—Basurto and fellow tenant advocate Janeth Valenzuela have sparked the organizational and oversight reforms needed to improve conditions at the Serrano and to elevate the voices of residents of affordable housing with property ownership and management and with the County. “We forgive the past but are looking closely at the future. There is still work to be done. We need your support for change,” he said.

Elder Julio Basurto delivers remarks at the Bozman Awards.

The second Bozman Award recipient, Nina Janopaul, was introduced by AHS Board Member Koube Ndaaje. Janopaul was honored as one of Arlington’s most effective voices in support of affordable housing investment. She recently retired as the president and CEO of the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH), a non-profit, regional, award-winning, affordable housing developer, from 2007 to 2021. Janopaul led the organization with a deep commitment to resident opportunity and social justice. During her tenure, Janopaul established a residents services program and maintained a strong permanent supportive housing program.

““It would be easy to let this community continue to gentrify and to exclude people. Rents are going up, housing prices are going up, and it takes active work to change that trajectory.”

— Nina Janopaul

Nina Janopaul accepts the Ellen M. Bozman Affordable Housing Award.

“I want to thank everyone here who's on this call for their passion for creating a diverse and inclusive Arlington,” said Janopaul. “It would be easy to let this community continue to gentrify and to exclude people. Rents are going up, housing prices are going up, and it takes active work to change that trajectory.”

The third award recipient, the Honorable Mary Margaret Whipple, was introduced by AHS board member and daughter of Ellen Bozman, Martha Bozman. Whipple was honored for her work shaping local and statewide policies that support affordable housing.

“If there is anything I’ve learned in my years of working on affordable housing, it has been that we just need every bit of volunteerism and activity and every resource we have at our command to make it possible.”

— Mary Margaret Whipple

Bozman recalled Whipple's long history of service in Arlington, including her roots in education and tenures on the Arlington County School Board and Arlington County Board. She also highlighted Whipple's service in the 31st District in the Virginia State Senate, where she was the first woman ever to hold a leadership position in the Virginia General Assembly, chairing the Senate Democratic Caucus.

Mary Margaret Whipple speaks at the virtual Bozman Awards.

 “There isn't enough housing to go around, so it's expensive, and the economy works against us,” said Whipple. “This is, on the whole, an affluent community, but many are not affluent, and they need the force of community willpower to provide the housing opportunities that they need. If there is anything I've learned in my years of working on affordable housing, it has been that we just need every bit of volunteerism and activity and every resource we have at our command to make it possible.”

“The strength of our will is going to be needed now more than ever.”

— Jenny Denney Lawson

Closing out the ceremony, Lawson recognized two outgoing, long-term, and valued members of the AHS team—board member Anne McCullough and executive director Michelle Winters. Lawson also acknowledged the challenges ahead in the fight to create an Arlington for Everyone. “The strength of our will is going to be needed now more than ever,” she said.  

Attendees watch the 2021 Bozman Awards via Zoom.

From the Audience Notes to the Honorees Via Mentimeter

Notes to Elder Julio Basurto

1. Wonderful job Julio! Thank you for your incredible efforts on behalf of tenants in Arlington.

2. Many thanks, Julio, for your tireless work to build a more beloved community. Many, many others will be inspired and follow in your social justice footsteps

3. Congratulations, Julio!  You have done such important work.

4. Grassroot leaders are the soul of all our work on affordable housing. Thank you for taking on all these hard issues and for your determination.

5. Thank you for speaking truth to power!

6. Thank you, Elder Basurto, for leading our community in taking care of others who need help to be housed.

Notes to Nina Janopaul

1. You have lifted affordable housing to a new standard and priority in Arlington and the region - THANK YOU!!

2. Congratulations, Nina!  So happy for you as the recognition of your extraordinary work continues!

3. Congratulations Nina!! You are inspirational

4. Nina, many thanks for your inspired leadership.  Our region is much more beloved because of your hard efforts. Onward and upward!

5. What an incredible contribution you’ve made to Arlington!  Thanks so much.

6. Congratulations, Nina. Thank you for your lifelong dedication to the cause of affordable housing.

Notes to Mary Margaret Whipple

1. You are a legend, and we are blessed to have you in our county and state!

2. You’ve been a role model for countless women who wanted to make difference. Thanks for your gracious mentorship of so many of us. Your legacy will live on for decades!

3. You are a gentle and mission-driven FORCE.

4. Congratulations, Mary Margaret. You leave an incredible legacy.

5. Many thanks, Mary Margaret. You've transformed a county, region, and the commonwealth.

6. Words cannot express how much I have looked up to Mary Margaret! I have learned so much from her leadership and guidance!