It is with great sadness that I share that one of our beloved Legal Aid DC Community Advisory Council (CAC) members, Ms. Alicia Smith, has passed away. In the CAC, Ms. Smith was an active advocate and a strong leader. She was one of the first to volunteer to be a “CAC liaison,” and fulfilled her role of communicating between the CAC and Legal Aid in an exemplary way. 

With her spirit and cheer, she kept the group connected and enlivened the council as a whole. Legal Aid staff who knew her and her CAC colleagues will miss her greatly. Some of her fellow CAC members shared these words of remembrance about Ms. Smith: 

“Ms. Smith was the most awesome person I ever met. Down to earth and cared so much about the community. I was so grateful to meet a most kind and loving person. May she rest in peace.” – Ms. Cynthia Spencer, Community Advisory Council member

“Ms. Smith was an amazing mother, family member, and friend who was a ray of sunshine to anyone and everyone she met. She advocated and helped those in need for years. She will be greatly missed. Her legacy for equal rights and justice for all will continue through us all." – Ms. Tangelia Hicks, Community Advisory Council member

"Ms. Smith was the glue for the CAC members. Our inspiration. She kept us on task and informed. She was a fantastic person and she often shared inspirational messages. She was a wonderful woman." – Mr. Leon Wells, Community Advisory Council member