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In his later life, Owens shifted his activism to focus on empowering and mentoring young people, who he saw as the leaders of the future. He also focused on building relationships with other community organizers and overcoming divisions. In 2018, Owens helped
Franklin High School students create a
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and participated in a sit-in that led to the creation of the university's Office of
Minority Affairs and Diversity. In the same year, Owens joined the newly formed Seattle Black Panther Party. Owens was particularly drawn to the party because of its work to address poverty. When reflecting on his
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Owens moved back to
Seattle in 1984. He was hired by the City of Seattle Office of Neighborhoods (later renamed Department of Neighborhoods) in 1989 to represent and advise policy towards underrepresented and lower income neighborhoods. Owens later became a manager for the city's Neighborhood
141:. Though he was never sent overseas, he later stated that his time in the army had a major influence on his political development. The time he spent in the South while in the Army caused him to think more critically about racism in Seattle.
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In addition to his activities in his union, Owens served on the board of Legacy of
Equality, Leadership, and Organizing (LELO), a multiracial organization that advocates for racial and economic justice, for many years.
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Owens died in 2022 from multiple health issues and complications due to COVID-19. In 2023, the Center for
Ethical Leadership presented Domingo and posthumously honored Owens with its Leadership Legacy Award.
129:. His family frequently moved between different housing projects due to poverty. Owens later stated that the diversity of the neighborhoods he grew up in influenced him from an early age. He attended
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income and financial aid at UW. In the early 1970's, however, Owens began to experience burnout due to the high amount of activity, losses in party membership, and chaos due to
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Matching Fund, which provided support to community organizations for specific projects. During his career at the City, Owens was a member of
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mural celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the
Seattle Black Panther Party.
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https://meetings.portseattle.org/portmeetings/attachments/2020/2020_04_01_SM_Exhibit_K.pdf
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202:. The couple had three children and were married for over 30 years, until Owens' death.
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282:"Garry Owens: Black Panther Party - Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project"
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his senior year. After graduating from high school, Owens was drafted into the
105:(1945 – September 30, 2022) was an American activist and community leader from
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396:"Franklin Students Plan Mural Honoring Seattle Chapter of the Black Panthers"
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Owens married Cindy
Domingo, a community organizer in Seattle and sister of
228:. Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project, University of Washington.
222:. Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project, University of Washington.
252:"A 'loving warrior for justice,' Seattle social justice leader dies at 77"
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experiences in the Party, Owens stated that he was most proud of the
310:"Beloved Seattle Activist Garry Owens Passes on, Aged 78 | 206 Zulu"
371:"Seattle activist and former Black Panther member Garry Owens dies"
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420:"Social justice champions Domingo, Owens to receive award"
186:, local 17, and served as a shop steward for the union.
109:, best known for being an early member of the Seattle
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in 1945 and grew up in various neighborhoods around
149:Owens returned to Seattle in 1967 and attended the
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226:Seattle Black Panther History and Memory Project
339:Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity
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170:. He left the party and moved to
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369:Staff, TheGrio (2022-10-19).
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16:American activist (1945–2022)
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394:Fried, Susan (2018-01-23).
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135:Congress of Racial Equality
133:and became involved in the
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308:Hands, Open (2022-10-11).
335:"Remembering Garry Owens"
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220:Garry Owens Oral History
151:University of Washington
63:University of Washington
461:Activists from Seattle
424:Northwest Asian Weekly
160:free breakfast program
400:South Seattle Emerald
172:western Massachusetts
286:depts.washington.edu
131:Franklin High School
59:Franklin High School
155:Black Student Union
111:Black Panther Party
107:Seattle, Washington
74:Black Panther Party
49:Seattle, Washington
36:Seattle, Washington
46:September 30, 2022
256:The Seattle Times
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69:Organization
456:2022 deaths
451:1945 births
176:New Orleans
139:Vietnam War
103:Garry Owens
23:Garry Owens
445:Categories
430:2023-08-21
405:2023-08-21
380:2023-08-21
344:2023-08-21
315:2023-08-21
291:2023-08-21
262:2023-08-21
233:References
194:Later life
174:and later
168:COINTELPRO
117:Early life
178:in 1972.
90:Relatives
55:Education
145:Activism
72:Seattle
375:TheGrio
80:Spouse
184:IFPTE
43:Died
32:1945
29:Born
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