A Celebration of the Life of Phyllis Renee Brunson

A Celebration of the Life of

Phyllis Renee Brunson Saturday, November 6, 2021 3:30 P.M.

All Souls Church, The Eaton Room 1500 Harvard Street NW Washington, D.C. 230009

Our Celebration Welcome Frank Farrow Reading - Still I Rise, by Maya Angelou Deborah Nicholson A Life Surrounded by the Love of Family and Friends – Video Tribute Tributes Regenia Hicks Donna Stark Memories of Phyllis - Stories, tributes, and "Phyllis-isms" from friends and family in the Eaton Room and on Zoom. Everyone, please join in.

Reading – Psalm 23 Cheryl Brunson Tributes Tom Buerger Jean McIntosh Remarks and Introduction of a Musical Celebration of Phyllis Frank Farrow Closing of our Celebration of Phyllis’s Life

Phenomenal Woman Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size But when I start to tell them, They think I’m telling lies.

I say, It’s in the reach of my arms The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips.

I’m a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That’s me.

I walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees.

I say, It’s the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet.

I’m a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That’s me. .

Men themselves have wondered, What they see in me.

They try so much But they can’t touch My inner mystery.

When I try to show them, They say they still can’t see.

I say, It’s in the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style.

I’m a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That’s me.

Now you understand Just why my head’s not bowed.

I don’t shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing It ought to make you proud.

I say, It’s in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, The need of my care, ‘Cause I’m a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That’s me ~Maya Angelou

A Life Well Lived With the passing of Phyllis Renee Brunson on March 26th, the world became a less bright place. She is mourned and celebrated by her family and friends across the country and around the world.

Phyllis was born on February 28, 1957, in Newport News, Virginia, to the late Clarence Vander Brunson and Ella Louise Peace Brunson. She was active in church as a young person, and these experiences shaped the deep spirituality she retained all her life.

Phyllis attended Newport News public schools, where she excelled as a student, was a member of the marching band and debate club and was president of the student council. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Lincoln University and her Master’s degree in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Phyllis found her calling early in life as a fierce advocate for community voice, community power, and social justice. Her early professional career was in public mental health services and policy in New York State and Washington, D.C. From 1992 to 1995, she served in the Maryland Governor’s Office for Children, Youth, and Families, helping to create a system of local governance boards to bring community voices into state government's decisions.

In 1995, she joined the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP), where for the next 25 years, she pioneered ways for community residents, particularly young people, to exercise power in the important decisions affecting their lives. Phyllis helped create CSSP's network of states experimenting with citizen-based decision-making; formed the parent and youth coalition supporting CSSP's early work on racial equity in child welfare systems; and, working with Consumer Reports, created a body of work on "customer satisfaction" to bring consumer accountability to the public sphere. From 2007 to 2018, she worked with colleagues in Los Angeles and with the Best Start program of First Five LA to help LA communities achieve more genuine ownership of supports for their youngest children.

Phyllis also shared her learning about community decision-making internationally, first with the International Initiative on Children, Youth, and Families, and later with the International Cities program of the Council of Europe. Phyllis left CSSP in 2019 to start The Brunson Group, a consulting practice focused on "upstream solutions," carrying on her commitment to community power in yet another form.

Everything Phyllis did was imprinted with who she was and how she lived her life. In the words of one close friend, she "sparkled," and she shared that glow, that love of life and the people in it, with all of us. Family was at the center of Phyllis's life, and she embraced friends with equal fervor, loving those around her generously and over many years.

Phyllis's life blazed with color, flair, and drama. It was not accidental that a sign proclaiming "DIVA" hung permanently on her CSSP office wall. Yet her office and home were always places for thoughtful, consoling, and inspiring conversations with friends and colleagues. Phyllis knew life's pain as well as its joys and could help her friends deal with both.

Phyllis’s sudden passing has left an unfillable void in many lives. She leaves to cherish her memory her siblings Barbara C. Hines, Curtis C. Brunson (Patricia), Anita Brunson-Williams, and Cheryl D. Brunson; many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews; other extended family members; a beloved goddaughter, Soraya Isaacs, daughter of her near-lifelong friend, Mareasa Isaacs; and many devoted friends.

Phyllis will be deeply missed. Her fingerprints on our lives, though, are indelible. We celebrate her with gratitude, knowing that her good works and good way of being in the world live on.

PBR

What Are They Saying About Me??

While today’s service was being planned, Phyllis’s sister, Cheryl, dreamt of Phyllis, who wanted to know, “What are they saying about me??” She needn’t have worried. As people responded to today’s invitation, they expressed their eagerness to remember and honor Phyllis. We share some of their words here.

I look forward to participating. This event is so important for all of us who loved and yet love Phyllis. Blessings, Carolyn Graham Grateful for this opportunity to remember the fabulous Phyllis together.

Cailin O’Connor Thanks for arranging the Celebration for Phyllis. We look forward to sharing stories and love. Donna Stark and Steve Shapiro I’ll miss being with you in person, but I look forward to sharing memories of our dear Phyllis. Patrick McCarthy So glad you are doing this for our champion of parent voice before it was a hot topic, among so many other of her contributions to social justice.

Martha Raimon Without a doubt, I plan to join this celebration of “The Diva.” And what a perfect picture of Phyllis! Charlyn Harper Brown Thank you for putting this celebration together so we can indeed remember and reminisce about our Diva Friend. Sammy Moon I am so glad that there is going to be a celebration of Phyllis’s life, and in a beautiful space. I can feel her spirit still. Kristen Weber

What are They Saying about Me??

(Continued) Wouldn’t miss it, y’all! Wonderful to be in a community with all of us who loved Phyllis. Audrey Jordan Count me in. I’d love to share in this celebration and remembrance of our lovely Phyllis! Beth Leeson I wouldn’t miss it. Thank you for organizing for our beloved Phyllis.

Chrissie Castro Thanks for organizing this celebration for Phyllis and, quite frankly, for all of us who were touched and inspired by her presence and her spirit.

Count me in. Rigo Rodriguez Count me in for a tribute to the Diva Phyllis! Scott Johnson Thank you for the opportunity to help celebrate Phyllis’s life. Anand Sharma Looking forward to celebrating our girl’s life. There will never be another Phyllis R. Brunson. Denise Thompkins

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With Thanks We’d like to express our appreciation to and admiration for Phyllis’s family. Thank you for allowing us to use part of the beautiful program from her funeral service.

Thank you also for your support for her friends celebrating her life in the service today.