Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 29, 2020 Councillors consider new ordinance for landlords By Barbara Taormina C ity councillors are taking some time with a proposal for a new ordinance that would require landlords to provide tenants with information about their rights and available resources when serving an eviction notice. Ward 3 Councillor Amanda Linehan and Councillor-at-Large Stephen Winslow have proposed the Housing Stability Notification Ordinance that would require landlords seeking to evict tenants to provide a flyer or letter that outlines available legal aid, housing counselling and financial assistance for back rent and MALDEN METEOR | FROM PAGE 1 cord in the standing broad jump event as a member of a women’s track and field club in December 1931, just a few months after her graduation from Malden High School. First-ever Malden resident, first black women selected for U.S. Olympics in 1932 Just a few months after that, she brought further international acclaim to her hometown when she became the first (and only) Malden resident, man or woman, ever to be named to a U.S. Olympic Team, when she was selected as a sprinter for the 1932 Olympic Games, which that year were being hosted in Los Angeles, Calif. Stokes Fraser also made history as she and teammate Tidye Pickett, an exceptional athlete from Chicago, Ill., were the first two African-American women to be selected as U.S. Olympians that year. Sadly, neither Stokes Fraser nor Pickett were able to compete and represent their country in the 1932 Olympic Games – replaced at the last minute in the 4 X 100 relay event. Since the two women had appeared to have earned the right to a spot on that relay team due to their performances at pre-Olympics time trials and the fact that their 11th hour replacements were white women, race has been cited by a number of historians as being a factor in their being denied a spot to compete in any official Olympics events in 1932. Both women again were picked to compete in the 1936 Olympics, this time the historic Games being held in Berlin, the heart of Nazi Germany. These games were forevermore known as the “Jesse Owens” Olympics, due to Owens, an African-American on the men’s team, winning four Gold Medals. Once again, Stokes Fraser did not get an opportunity to compete – left off the relay team once again. Pickett did go on to achieve notoriety as the first African-American woman in history to compete for the U.S. Olympic Team, though an injury ended her quest for a medal in the semifinals of the 100 meter sprint. Though, by the numbers, Stokes Fraser did not excel in the pre-competition times as she had four years earlier in the, again it appeared she had earned a spot in the 4 X 100 relay with the better performances. But again, some sports historians claim racism was ultimately a factor in her being denied a chance to run. Louise Mae Stokes Fraser grew up in Malden and excelled in all athletics in her formative years, despite the fact that women’s participation in sports competition was extremely limited both by opportunity and public opinion. Added to the limitations was the fact that in many parts of the United States, segregation according to race was prevalent and in effect in many ways. A flat-out paucity of available opportunities for wouldbe women athletes in both team and individual sports was indeed one major barrier. Add to that the belief in many circles that athletic competition was innately wrong, physically and mentally, for women to participate in. From the late 19th century right up until the 1940s, prominent scientific minds spoke against women competing in athletics, citing adverse effects anywhere from the child-bearing process to mental instability. Who was Louise Mae Stokes Fraser? Louise May Stokes grew up moving expenses. “This would be another tool in our toolbox to protect our most vulnerable residents and to help them understand their rights,” said Linehan, who introduced the proposal at the May 5 City Council meeting. “It would also be a benefit for landlords because it would give tenants access to resources that will help them get paid,” added Linehan. Winslow said ensuring that people know their rights made a huge difference at 33 Park St., where tenants were hit with a 40 percent hike in rents without much warning. Councillors raised questions about how the ordinance would work and concerns about which property owners would be subject to the ordinance. “There are a lot of owner-occupied homes where people rely on rent,” said Murphy, adding that the council shouldn’t enact an ordinance that will benefit some residents but not others. “We need to have a discussion and make sure all parties are at the table and have a voice,” said Murphy. The Ordinance Committee began discussing the proposed ordinance this week, and committee members continue to raise questions. Linehan stressed that Malden could be facing an onslaught of evictions in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Factors such as the city’s shortage of affordable housing and high rents would add to the problem. But councillors wanted more details and facts. Ward 7 Councillor Neal Anderson asked about the typical number of evictions in Malden. “I want to make sure everyone has the information, but I haven’t appreciated the scope of the problem,” he said. Linehan and Winslow, who have been relying on national statistics, said they would find specific numbers for Malden. Ward 1 Councillor Peg Crowe wondered how landlords would document the fact that they provided information to tenants, and how tenants would prove they didn’t. Linehan suggested that enforcement of the ordinance would come from housing advocates who could argue in housing court that landlords failed to follow the city’s regulation. That could weigh against them in an eviction proceeding. But Murphy once again brought up owner-occupied properties where landlords, particularly seniors, depend on rent as a lifeline. “I would like to have a discussion with both landlords and tenants,” she said. “I think we need to hear from folks on both sides.” Committee members agreed to continue gathering information and discussing the proposed ordinance. BREAKING THE BARRIER: Malden’s Louise May Stokes (left) and Illinois’ Tidye Pickett (right) were the first two African-American women to ever be selected to the U.S. Olympic Team – for the 1932 Games in Los Angeles, Calif. (Courtesy Photo) near Malden’s downtown and developed a love of running and sports in general at a young age. According to her son, Wilfred Fraser Jr., she beat any girls in town easily, so she began racing neighborhood boys on the B&M Railroad tracks that ran along the city behind Malden Square, now the site of the Northern Strand Community Trail. She went on to become a student at the then brand-new Beebe Junior High School on Pleasant Street in the late 1920s, before moving on to Malden High School. It was there that Louise Mae began to excel athletically. She starred on the fledgling Beebe girls’ basketball team, which was a very rudimentary, 6-on-6 game, with only one dribble allowed per player at a time and only three players allowed over half court of the small court surface at a time. These girls’ basketball rules remained essentially the same for 50 years, into the 1970s. She caught the eye of the local Park Commissioner, William H. Quaine, who ran the Onterora Club, a private track and field club in the area. Quaine quickly took an interest in Stokes Fraser and began to guide her career, entering her in races and events around the region. This coincided with her athletic participation at Malden High School, where she was a member of the Class of 1931 who competed in basketball and girls’ track and field. She established MHS school records in nearly every event offered and balanced her time by singing in the choir at Eastern Avenue Baptist Church. “The Malden Meteor” sets a World Record in 1931 In the spring of her senior year, at Quaine’s urging, she entered by the Boston-based Women’s Track Championships, which were held in the Fens near Fenway Park and adjacent to where Northeastern University is now located. Stokes Fraser wowed the large crowd in attendance by winning four events and setting a New England record in the 100 meter sprint with a time of 12.9 seconds. Most remarkably, she also tied the World Record in the standing broad jump, with a mark of 8 feet-5 3/4 inches. She was awarded the James Michael Curley Mayor’s Cup as the event’s Most Outstanding Performer. Furthermore, as news of her world record began to spread, almost immediately national attention began to come Stokes Fraser’s way. A bright future appeared to be looming for the teen who many had started to call “The Malden Meteor.”
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