Honoring 100-Year-Old Perris Valley Resident for Decades of Community Building and Change

Mrs. Moses moved to Perris Valley in 1957 and hit the ground running—taking on leadership roles in a variety of organizations that initiated infrastructure improvements, including installing roads, water and natural gas; and construction of an elementary school, community center, and fire station in the rural area of Good Hope, where she resides.

Mrs. Moses’s leadership in Perris Valley’s first Human Relations Commission facilitated dialogue and training for community leaders that helped move race relations forward in the community and schools.  Mrs. Moses’ vision, and her respect for the diverse needs of her community and fair-minded leadership style have earned her the respect of residents and community leaders alike.  Willie Lee has served the community well and her wisdom and stalwart example will no doubt have lasting impacts in Perris Valley, and beyond. Mrs. Moses is deeply cherished in her beloved community, where she is often dubbed “The Mayor of Good Hope.”  Although Willie has slowed a bit in in the past few years, the fruits of her good work and shining example are ever present.

Willie’s daughter Eleanor stated, “My mom’s optimism, and commitment to shape the world around her and make it a better place, are constants. She really embodies that adage “be the change you want to see. Hard to find a more stalwart and hopeful public servant. She’s such an inspiring role model in these fractious times.”

A celebration in her honor of Willie Moses and her purpose filled life will be held at the Riverside County Moses Schaffer Community Center on her 100th Birthday on Friday, February 18, 2022, from 1 p.m. to 4 PM.  The event will be held both virtually and in person.  For additional information or to RSVP, please contact Eleanor Moses at willieleemoses@gmail.com, or 510 290-4563.

Facts about Willie Moses

• It did not take long for Willie Lee and Henry Moses to discover Perris Valley was conservative and resistant to change when they relocated to Good Hope from Compton in 1957.
• The Moses’s were active in the community from the beginning taking a leadership role in community development, quality education, working as an activist during the civil rights era. They were involved with many Democratic political campaigns, and public education efforts.
• The couple worked with other leaders to build strategies for improving race relations in Perris Valley and help the community evolve in positive directions.  Every race, nationality, and religion could be found in the Moses home which was a hub for many community, political and family events. They were a constant resource and support for family, neighbors, and community leaders over the years.
• Willie Lee Moses Nee Wanza was born February 18, 1922, in a small Louisiana town. Despite encountering many difficulties living in the racially charged South Willie developed a strong belief early on that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.  She has maintained that self-assuredness and spirit of resilience throughout her life and speaks lovingly of family and community members who believed in her and guided her early development.
• Willie migrated West in 1944 after graduating valedictorian of her high school class, attending several years of teacher training at Grambling College and teaching school for a short period.
• Looking for better opportunities, Willie joined her future husband Henry in Washington state, where they both worked in the war effort. Willie worked in an armory processing ammunition before moving on to monitor ammunition inventory coming on and off ships. The couple relocated to Southern CA in 1946 where they purchased a large home and business enterprise, hosting many friends and relatives migrating from Louisiana.
• Just three generations from slavery, Willie broke many barriers in Perris Valley as the first African American to take assertive leadership roles in a variety of community organizations. Her legacy of deeply principled activism, service, and community building are still evident throughout Perris Valley.
• Willie was instrumental in helping bring water, natural gas, roads, and other critical infrastructure to her rural community, and successfully advocated for development of an elementary school, community center and fire station in Good Hope. She was tireless in her work to provide resources for the elderly and needy, coordinating a free food program for low-income seniors nearly 35 years.  Concerned about the quality of her children’s education Willie stepped up without hesitation to serve as president of the Perris Elementary, Middle and High School PTAs.  Sometimes serving as president of multiple PTA at the same time.
• Instrumental in developing a new elementary school in the neighborhood, Willie also served as first PTA president of the new Good Hope Elementary School where she helped raise funds for free lunches, the purchase of clothing and shoes for underprivileged children and distribution of food baskets to seniors in addition to school oversight duties.
• Willie had a leadership role in Perris Valley’s first Human Relations Commission, which was successful in opening dialogue and improving race relations among community leaders in Perris Valley, and students in the Perris Unified School District.
• A Perris Elementary School District food service manager for nearly 25 years, Willie also served as a job steward for classified employees in the region. All of this and more while keeping up a large turn of the century home and raising five girls on a five-acre property filled with fruit trees, pigs, chickens, rabbits, and the occasional cow.  While her husband worked, Willie was often left single handedly keeping five girls in either Brownies, Girl Scouts, band, drill team, cheerleading, school plays, speech contests, sports teams, Sunday School and church.
• The Moses home was the nucleus of a large extended family, and the broader community. Often the hub of large gatherings, meetings and political events.
• A stalwart public servant, Willie has an open heart, and endless energy for family and community. The most notable testament to her years of advocacy is when she is lovingly referred to as “Mayor of Good Hope”.  Riverside County renamed their community building in Good Hope, Moses Schaffer Community Center.  In honor of Willie and another super volunteer and former co-worker.  In 2018 she received an honorary theology PHD for a lifetime of community service. She has many formal acknowledgements for her work over the years..
• Willie was a member of Bethel AME Church nearly 60 years, where she served as a missionary and exhorter.
• The pandemic has prevented Willie from participating in-person with clubs and organizations, but she continues to be involved and give council. Approaching 100, she still has an extraordinary ability to mix her faith and love of life, family, community and friends into a living storybook that deserves celebrating.  She’s defiantly an inspiration in these fractious times.
• When asked advice she has for leading a good life. Moses responded: “Just, treat others the way you want to be treated;” “give the best you have, and the best will come back to you.” “I draw a lot of strength from the 23^rd  It’s my favorite scripture.” “When our ancestor had to pray in the bushes and arbors, for a better future for themselves and their children.  They may not have known what it looked like, but they were good folks, and they believed, and just kept pushing forward.  I never forget, or let my children forget that we stand on the shoulders of those elders and their toil, and we need to keep carrying the torch forward.”
• “Almost eighty-five years ago as a fifteen-year-old girl I was fortunate to win a regional speech contest competing with many older students.  Thanks to good schooling, and the confidence that was instilled in me at an early age, I went on to become valedictorian of my high school in Farmersville LA. The poem I recited in that competition The House by the Side of the Road https://allpoetry.com/The-House-By-The-Side-Of-The-Road has been a guiding light for me throughout my life.  Its a constant reminder to be tolerant and compassionate.”

Author: Wallace