Wisdom Keepers from Lawrenceville United

Lawrenceville United
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Wisdom Keepers from Lawrenceville United

The Wisdom Keepers Project is an oral history of longtime Lawrenceville residents’ memories and stories of the neighborhood to preserve the community’s rich history. We hope Lawrenceville residents and anyone stumbling upon these stories will enjoy them for years to come. This project was made possible through AARP’s Community Challenge Grant Program and spearheaded by Lawrenceville United, a resident-driven, non-profit organization that works to improve and protect the quality of life for all Lawrenceville residents.

  1. EPISODE 1

    Loretta Millender

    Ms. Loretta aka “the Bible of Lawrenceville” was a longtime Lawrenceville resident who helped found Lawrenceville United and stayed involved up until her passing in 2023. She was a true community builder: an incredible champion for Lawrenceville, a longtime civil rights activist across many causes, a cornerstone of her Trinity Baptist Church in the 6th Ward, a keeper of neighborhood history, and a devoted and loving family member, friend, and neighbor to so many. Throughout her many decades in Lawrenceville, she was always bringing people together, finding ways to make the neighborhood a better place, and jumping quickly into action whenever injustice presented itself. She organized with other residents for home repairs and sanitary housing conditions, helped create a new playground for children, exposed and challenged housing discrimination against Black residents, addressed local incidents of police brutality, and shut down 40th Street with a number of moms to demand safer conditions and a crossing guard at the Butler Street intersection for students at Arsenal, among many other causes. Even in her older years, she continued to serve on the LU Board, spoke up at City Council for affordable housing, and helped distribute food to neighbors who needed it. She always had a kind word ("Hey babes!" was her classic greeting) and a hug for everyone. Local magazine Steel This Magazine began a regular series across issues 5-11 called "Ms. Loretta's Corner" through which she shared many stories of growing up in Lawrenceville and the causes she was a happy warrior for. You can find those issues online at https://issuu.com/steelthismagazine/docs and they are so worth reading in full! You can find her portrait on the Wisdom Keepers mural at 48th and Butler. Artwork by Maggie Lynn Negrete

    27 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    June Coyne-Givens

    June is a second generation lifelong Lawrenceville resident and she shares a detailed family and neighborhood history. June was always a hard worker, she raised 8 kids while holding down 3 jobs, including the neighborhood’s Sears Outlet, St. Francis, and the Pittsburgh Ballet. She shares lots of memories of her jobs, the neighborhood through the years, and being with her family. You can find her portrait on the Wisdom Keepers mural at 48th and Butler. Artwork by Maggie Lynn Negrete

    23 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    Audrey Pring

    Audrey grew up in Lawrenceville and has been a 9th Warder most of her life. She reflects on her memories of the neighborhood when there were lots of mills, grocery stores, and all the general necessities you needed. Audrey also shares a lot of her family’s history, the good and the challenging. The neighborhood has changed a lot since Audrey was young, but she’s glad to still live here. She was a recipient of Lawrenceville United’s Neighbor of the Year award in 2023 for her dedication to making others feel at home in Lawrenceville. Artwork by Maggie Lynn Negrete

    25 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    Lena Hotujec

    Lena’s niece, Chris Larcovic, shares her memories of Lena and what a powerhouse she was in the neighborhood during her life. She was an advocate and support for various immigrant groups as they arrived in the neighborhood and helped to shape Lawrenceville as it exists today. You can find her portrait on the Wisdom Keepers mural at 48th and Butler. Artwork by Maggie Lynn Negrete

    25 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    Mary Moses

    Mary has always been very active in Lawrenceville. She worked for Pittsburgh Public Schools, and following her retirement she started a club for kids to learn about Arsenal Park’s history and Shannopin Town. Mary has also been an active mobility and transportation advocate. She shares a lot of memories of Lawrenceville – the fireworks, first kisses, and more. Mary has played a large role in shaping the Lawrenceville that exists today. You can find her portrait on the Wisdom Keepers mural at 48th and Butler. Artwork by Maggie Lynn Negrete

    52 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    Christine Larcovic

    Christine spent some of her adult years away from Lawrenceville, but Hatfield Street has always been home. Christine reflects on life growing up in the neighborhood and experiencing the changes of the neighborhood, the good and the challenging, through the years.

    28 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    Mary Petrich

    Mary Petrich loves her neighborhood! She worked as a nurse at St. Francis Hospital (now the site of Children’s Hospital) and shares interesting stories of her time there and growing up in the neighborhood. Be sure to listen for Liberace receiving life saving treatment at St. Francis! Mary has been very involved in the neighborhood and with her family and brings a positive spirit to all she does.

    2h 35m

  8. EPISODE 8

    Ron Schiavo

    Ron shares his experiences growing up in Lawrenceville – going to the Boys Club for baking classes, swimming at Leslie Park Pool, and performing with his band. Ron’s family has a long history in Lawrenceville and his memories touch on the transformation of the neighborhood from the time he was a kid to today. Ron won Neighbor of the Year in 2023 for his work running Lawrenceville United’s Friday Food Distribution.

    20 min
See All Season 1 (35)

Trailer

About

The Wisdom Keepers Project is an oral history of longtime Lawrenceville residents’ memories and stories of the neighborhood to preserve the community’s rich history. We hope Lawrenceville residents and anyone stumbling upon these stories will enjoy them for years to come. This project was made possible through AARP’s Community Challenge Grant Program and spearheaded by Lawrenceville United, a resident-driven, non-profit organization that works to improve and protect the quality of life for all Lawrenceville residents.

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