Shaw in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Cecilia Penny Scott
(1918 - 2004)
Cecilia Penny Scott was a pioneering Shaw entrepreneur, community activist, philanthropist, and mentor.
In 1953, Scott opened Cecilia's at 2002 12th Street, NW. The restaurant featured Southern cuisine and attracted notables from social, entertainment, and sports circles. In 1958, she purchased the Stage Door restaurant at 618 T Street, NW, across Wiltberger Street from the Howard Theatre, and renamed it Cecilia's. She also operated a rooming house above the restaurant that served traveling entertainers.
Cecilia's served area residents and celebrities alike until its closing in 1969. Cecilia's many celebrity customers included James Brown, Cab Calloway, Sam Cooke, Redd Foxx, Billie Holiday, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Dinah Washington, and Jackie Wilson.
Scott was a founding member of Banneker Plaza, Inc., a Seventh Street business association; Hospitality House, a family residential center; School Shoes, a fund for Shaw neighborhood children; and CRM Development Corporation, the first African American woman-owned real estate development company in the city. She also served in leadership positions in numerous organizations, including the DC Chamber of Commerce, Model Cities Commission and the Shaw Project Area Committee. Cecilia Scott was the recipient of many awards, including Business Woman
this page online
Erected 2021.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.
Location. 38° 54.924′ N, 77° 1.252′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Shaw. Marker is at the intersection of Wiltberger Street Northwest and T Street Northwest, on the right when traveling north on Wiltberger Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 618 T St NW, Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (within shouting distance of this marker); The Howard Theatre Walk of Fame (within shouting distance of this marker); Howard Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); The Flower Garden of Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); Dunbar Theater / Southern Aid Society (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Seventh and T (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The Howard Theatre Walk of Fame (about 300 feet away); Armed Resistance (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 258 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on October 20, 2023, by Bruce Guthrie of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 8, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
