They work quietly, unnoticed. They are not interested in drawing attention to their positive deeds.
A little while ago, I happened to be walking to a business appointment along Ballona Creek.
Meeting a Stranger Who Isnt
Continuing my walk toward the newly installed bridge behind Culver City High School, there on the concrete steps, I noticed a lady working diligently.
In the glare of the hot sun, she was scrubbing the concrete floor. Paint brushers and a can of paint remover were at her side.
She did not look the part of a member of the maintenance staff of the Culver City Unified School District.
Too refined.
My curiosity conquered me, and I asked her what she was doing.
What and Why
Sweat dripping from her forehead, she looked up at me. I am removing the graffiti from the concrete steps, she said.
You might not have believed the proliferation of graffiti around the bridge.
I asked her if the city or a private crew ever removed graffiti. yes, they do, she replied. But it takes time. When you call, they have to see if they can fit you in this month. This heroine is June Walden.
A woman of substance, she removes offensive graffiti, gang graffiti and any other form of hoodlum tagger-writing on the bridge or on trash cans around the bridge garden.
A Librarian Maybe?
A slender woman in her late 50s, June has the look of a soft-spoken and intelligent librarian.
June is a local heroine for achieving something bigger than herself. June Walden sacrifices a physical deed for her neighborhood and for Culver City.
She gives the Lindberg Park community a reputation for cleanliness that it always has maintained.
I asked her why she decided to perform the sacrifice of graffiti removal.
Its Called Citizenship
I believe if there is a problem, I should take responsibility, June Walden said.
I am offended by the graffiti. So I clean it up. I want to have a beautiful bridge planting, so I garden.
My dream is that others will take responsibility. No graffiti and no walking on the garden plants.
