By Whitney Anderson
When Gail Patterson decided to run for South Haven City Council, her home served as command central for her campaign. A Crock-Pot of warm food was always ready for the community members, and volunteers gathered in her home to help with her campaign. Ten years ago, having a home that Gail could share was merely a dream. In 2002, that dream was made possible by South Haven Area Habitat for Humanity. Today, Gail is inspired to community service by the dedicated volunteers, family members and friends who helped build the home she now owns.
When Gail Patterson decided to run for South Haven City Council, her home served as command central for her campaign. A Crock-Pot of warm food was always ready for the community members, and volunteers gathered in her home to help with her campaign. Ten years ago, having a home that Gail could share was merely a dream. In 2002, that dream was made possible by South Haven Area Habitat for Humanity. Today, Gail is inspired to community service by the dedicated volunteers, family members and friends who helped build the home she now owns.
“Habitat is a great organization, and it makes dreams come true,” said Gail. “It gives people hope; people like me who had no opportunity to own their own home.”
Gail Patterson was elected to South Haven City Council on Nov. 3, 2009. She is the first African American woman to be elected to South Haven’s City Council.
Raised in South Haven, along with seven brothers and sisters, Gail graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts in social work. Upon graduation, she attended medical school at the University of Michigan for three years, until she got married and had her son, Ben. She later divorced and raised Ben as a single mother.
A Brand New Home
When Ben was 2 years old, Gail moved into a trailer on the outskirts of South Haven. For income, she ran a licensed daycare service in her trailer for 10 years. It was through one of the mothers who used her service that Gail first heard about Habitat for Humanity.
During the construction of her home, Gail and her then 12-year-old son would stop by the site nearly every day after work and on the weekends to help out.
During the construction of her home, Gail and her then 12-year-old son would stop by the site nearly every day after work and on the weekends to help out.
“My son and I were just so thankful to have the opportunity to work on our house,” said Gail. “We had been praying for a long time for it, so we were happy to do whatever we could to help with the building of the house.”
Gail and Ben moved into their new home in April 2002.
The Inspiration for Change
Around the same time, Gail took a job with the South Haven Memorial Library as the youth librarian. Through her work at the library, Gail found a passion for community outreach.
In 2004, Gail partnered with the library director, Deb Jones, to found the Wishes and Dreams Project to reach out to community members, especially of Hispanic and African American decent. The mission of the project is to assist in the development of reading skills, enhance library selection and encourage community participation in library activities. Many of the new activities were hosted at South Haven’s Elkenberg Park – the heart of the newly-elected councilwoman’s district.
“During the programs, I noticed the park was in the same condition it was in the 60s, when I was a child,” said Gail.
She recognized a great opportunity for development, and helped to start the Elkenberg Park Redevelopment Committee. The committee’s goal is to enhance the park for area children and families, and to make it more attractive to the community and to tourists.
In her effort to achieve the committee’s objectives, Gail began developing relationships with many organizations and members within the community. It was through this process that Gail was asked to run for city council. When she decided to run, she was surrounded by people in the community who offered to help.
“Gail is very well-known, very well-liked and very well-respected,” said Jacqui Cowles, president of South Haven Area Habitat for Humanity. “It did not surprise me that she won. I know she will do a great job on city council, and her district will be better for it.”
Gail said that becoming a homeowner has opened up her world of possibilities.
“Now I know I can run for office if I want, and I never thought about doing that when I was living in my trailer. Home ownership helps you have more pride in what you have and what things you can do in life,” she added.
Now Its Time to Give Back
Gail continues to be a highly active member of the South Haven community. In addition to her work through the library and the city council, Gail serves on the board of the South Haven Center for the Arts, and she is regularly involved in her church.
“Because I have been given so much, I want to give back.” Gail said.
Gail’s son, Ben, is now a senior at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, due to graduate with a business degree in December 2009. She said he hopes to volunteer at Habitat for Humanity in the future.
Since being involved in the construction of Gail’s home, her sister, brother-in-law and their children have made annual donations to Habitat for Humanity. Gail’s brother has also volunteered at Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity.