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Pittsburgh Courier NEW
thenewpittsburghcourier Published Weekly $1.00
www.newpittsburghcourier.com Vol. 114 No. 3 Two Sections
JANUARY 18-24, 2023
A COURIER SPECIAL REPORT
Homicides against Black women and girls are on the rise
TEMANI LEWIS AND HER DAUGHTER, KAARI THOMPSON, WERE KILLED IN DEC. 2022. TARAE WASHINGTON WAS KILLED IN JANUARY 2023. JASMINE GUEST WAS KILLED IN 2021.
43 Black women and girls have been killed in Allegheny County since 2020.
by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
In the past three years, African American women and girls were killed in Allegheny County at a disturbing, and what some call frightening, rate. Within the period of 2012
to 2019, only in one year (2016) were 10 or more Black women and girls
killed in the county. But at least 10 Black women and girls were killed in
the county in each of the past three years (2020, 2021, 2022).
And to make matters worse, two of the first four homicides in Allegh-
eny County in 2023 were Black women. Though it’s early, the number of Black women and girls killed in the county by the end of 2023 could be the highest number in a single year SEE HOMICIDIE A4
Honoring the life of a trailblazer
Vivian Hewitt, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s first Black librarian by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
Who was the first Black librarian employed at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh? Vivian Hewitt, of course. The historic feat occurred in 1944, at the library’s Hill District branch, which, back then, was on Wylie Avenue. Hewitt then moved to the Homewood branch in 1947. “She is a rock star in libraryland,” said Andrew Medlar, president and director of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, during an event honoring her life, Dec. 3, 2022, at the Homewood branch. Hewitt died on May
29, 2022, at age 102. But the impact she made on youth, adults and the field of education will live on. “She was an exceptional educator, teacher, library pioneer, and citizen for many decades, and it is an honor to celebrate her life, which embodies knowledge and education,” Medlar said. “We are honored that her legacy remains a part of our library’s enduring history.” “Her passion, her perseverance, her dedication,” added Melvin Hubbard El with Mayor Ed Gainey’s office, “will live forever.” The Aurora Reading Club of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Library of PittsSEE HEWITT A8
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MARIVIEN HEWITT LASCHON, a granddaughter of the late Vivian Hewitt, with Marivien’s 3-year-old daughter, Lulu. (Photo by J.L. Martello)