On Tuesday, February 21, 2006, Patricia Anne Lawson of Fort Washington, MD. the loving wife of Cuthbert S. Lawson; mother of Ross E. Jackson, Jr., Roslyn L. Jackson, Virginia A. Lawson; and step-mother of Donald R. Lawson.

Patricia also is survived by three sisters, Kathleen Merit, Thelma Tootle and Linda Bellamy; four brothers, David, Amos, William and Jerome Howard; two grandchildren, Diamonia and Raiquan Jackson and a host of other relatives and friends.

Viewing was on Friday, February 24, 2006 at A.L. Bennett Funeral Home, 515 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, VA from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Final funeral services will be on Saturday, February 25, 2006 at Mt. Ennon Baptist Church, 9832 Piscataway Rd., Clinton, MD for viewing from 10 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11 a.m., The Reverend Delman Coates, officiating.

Interment Sunset Memorial Park, Fredericksburg, VA. Arrangements by Strickland Funeral Services.

Ms. Lawson was an active member of Blacks In Government Region XI - EPA. Patricia was a tireless warrior at the EPA against its policies of institutional racism and sexism. She also worked to advance the rights of the disabled to be accommodated so that they do not have to choose between their jobs and their health. Patricia provided resource mobilization leadership for the Coalition.

During her career at EPA, she was the cruel target of retaliation and harassment but she never gave up the fight to make the Agency a humane and safe workplace for herself and others.

Patricia now joins the long line of African-American women who have fought for justice. We honor her spirit and courage by re-dedicating ourselves to the struggle for justice. We must also fight to make sure that those managers who harassed her are held accountable for their actions.

May God Bless Patricia and grant her peace.