Mar 01 Celebrating Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month, a time to commemorate and encourage the study and celebration of the critical role of women in American history and today. We open this month by highlighting one of our leaders, who has been instrumental to H. J. Russell & Company over the years, Delilah Wynn-Brown, Director of Real Estate Development.
When Delilah learned she needed to take drafting in high school to prepare for a college major in architecture, she was told that only boys were allowed to take the class. Upon protesting to the department head and school counselors, she was told, “The class is full,” and by the principal, “It’s policy and out of our hands.” To affect change, Delilah and her mother went to the superintendent of schools, and she was accepted into drafting class the next semester. Her mother always encouraged her to, “Never take a ‘no’ when you need a ‘yes’.” She applied this principle throughout college and her 30-plus-year career in architecture, planning, development, and program management. It means everything doesn’t always go as planned, but you must keep trying in order to achieve your goals, despite the obstacles.
As Director of Real Estate Development at Russell, Delilah encourages others with the same words that her mother gave her, “Never take a ‘no’ when you need a ‘yes’.” During her career, she has been key in numerous projects from higher education to transportation. Most recently, Delilah has led Russell’s efforts on the King Memorial Station Transit-Oriented Development, Walker Street Lofts, as well as the renovation of Russell’s former headquarters for the Russell Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
