Lillian Morris Gideon (1907-2006) was widely known in Seattle as a volunteer and philanthropist in Seattle's African-American community and other groups. Born in Mobile, AL and educated at Boston College, Gideon served in the American Red Cross during both World Wars, and moved to Seattle in the 1950s with her husband Russell, working as a social worker at the VA Hospital, and he as proprietor of a Central Area pharmacy. Ms. Gideon was a founder of the Central Area Motivation Program and an active member of several organizations, ranging from Mount Zion Baptist Church to Planned Parenthood. Gideon had a second career as a travel agent after she retired from the VA at 70.

Here, Lillian Gideon attends the dedication of the new Heritage Garden, a park at the intersection of E. Madison, 20th Ave. E., and E. Olive St in the Central Area. The park was constructed by the Planned Parenthood Washington, whose building adjoins it. Lillian and Russell Gideon's business, Gideon’s Pharmacy and Soda Fountain, had been located near the site of the new garden.

Caption information source: "Grande dame" is remembered for her altruism" by Keith Ervin, Seattle Times, April 8, 2006. Retrieved at http://old.seattletimes.com/html/obituaries/2002918520
Caption information source: Photo caption, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 17, 2001, p.