LENEVA PENTON

Women's Service Club of Boston

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Leneva Penton is a builder of bridges with a reverence for the past and an eye on the future. Nominated by the Women’s Service Club of Boston, a legendary civil rights institution and ABCD partner, Leneva played an important role in keeping the elder members safe, healthy, and connected during the pandemic. She and others – including her mother, Cynthia Penton Bell, and her sister Tamara Penton-Chester – made regular phone calls to seniors to make sure they had everything they needed and weren’t falling prey to isolation. 

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One highlight was a virtual high tea, a twist on their annual event. The WSC sent the more than 50 participants a teacup and saucer, a spoon, and tea, of course, and it was a huge success. “They all got dressed up, wore their hats – you saw all these beautiful faces!” 

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By day, Leneva is the community engagement manager at Urban Edge, where she focuses on helping people with housing and homelessness prevention. “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. I’m a firm believer in that … and in listening with compassion,” she said.