Maude Wilson Hodgson
Nicaraguan Citizen of the Year
Menlo, CA, 27Jul-Born in Bluefields, Nicaragua, Ms. Maude, as she is
lovingly known by many, emigrated to this country over 30 years ago.
She settled in Menlo Park California, where she was later joined by her
husband “Mr. Bully”, and her five sons, Leonard, Edgar, Melvin, Willoughby
and Errol.
When Ms. Maude was first informed of this Citizen of
the Year award, being the shy and humble person that she is, the first thing
that she said was …in her very broken Nicaraguan Caribbean accent…”them
betta no friggin expect me to get up on no stage and say nothin’.
Just put the Byron Lee de’ mek a kiss im up…”
After all, Byron Lee and The Dragonaires is her favorite Soca/Calypso
group.
Ms. Maude’s home in Menlo Park has been
frequented by most, if not all of the Nicaraguan’s as well as their friends
and families that have either lived in the San Francisco Area, or were simply
passing through. Her kindness and
comfort ability has been felt by many generations.
Her home has seen the sights of Christmas gatherings, mother’s day
celebrations, Thanksgiving prayers, domino games and parties for no reason
what-so-ever!
Currently Ms. Maude is one of the people at the
forefront of the Wallace Howell Charitable Foundation.
A non-profit organization in memory of one of Nicaragua’s Caribbean
Coast greatest icons.
On this day, the Nicaraguan community of the Bay Area
say “Thank you” to Ms. Maude. Thank
you for opening the doors of your
home to those of us who were in dire need of a warm place to stay during many
winter nights, and a place to gather during hot summer days. A place where you
are guaranteed a plate of food, no matter what, no matter when, most
importantly, no matter who. A place where our children could come and play and
meet other children. Thank you for
the coco cakes, casaba puddings, and your oh, so famous home-made brackish
bun! You represent the mother for those of us whose mother’s are far away.
Thank you for making us all feel at “home”
You are indeed an ambassador of good faith and
kindness. May God continue to bless
you with fortune, and may you always be surrounded by people, big and small, who
respect, love and appreciate all that you do. You are an inspiration to all of
us. Thank you Kooka!
July 27, 2001 –
Byron Lee & The Draggonaires Concert - San Francisco, California
By:
Elisa M. Levy
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