Dorothy Benjamin is a woman who gets things done. She has been in administration in California State Parks and Department of Water Resources (DWR) including Public Affairs in DWR. She served as President of Black Advocates in State Service. These days she is advocating for a public Library in Oak Park a historically Black Community in Sacramento, currently she is the coordinator for the Senior Program for the Women's Civic Improvement Club in Sacramento, and she is hosting a 5K run/walk at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. Dorothy often jokes that she is busier being retired than she was when she was working. When asked what instilled her values and work ethic, she exclaims," That's Allensworth!"
Dorothy is referring to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. Before it became a California state park in 1974, the town of Allensworth was founded, financed, and governed by an all-Black community. In 1908, Colonel Allen Allensworth founded the town of Allensworth in Tulare County, in California’s Central Valley. Born into slavery in 1842, he was encouraged by his mother to learn to read and write. At age 12, he was sent away for violating the law prohibiting the education of enslaved people. He escaped enslavement by joining the Union Army to eventually become Army chaplain, educator, and town founder. He earned a doctorate in theology and retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1906 — the first African American to attain such a high rank. From its founding, the town of Allensworth emphasized the importance of education. In 1912 Allensworth became a school district with its residents voting for a bond to build a two-room schoolhouse.
Dorothy and her family lived in Allensworth during the 1950s and 1960s, attending school in that schoolhouse and learning the importance of education and water conservation from an early age. Dorothy’s sister went from being scolded by their teacher for not performing well in math to majoring in mathematics at UC Davis. As a young girl, Dorothy would help their father carry water from the town well to their home where they would cook, wash dishes, and bathe with their recycled water. These memories sparked Dorothy’s idea to create an event around the centennial celebration of the establishment of the town of Allensworth, which took place in October 2008.
On September 12, 2024, the California State Parks Commission awarded Dorothy with the Golden Bear Award. This award is a recognition of leadership and significant contributions from individuals or organizations to State Parks mission: to provide for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. With the Colonel Allensworth 5k Run/Walk for Health, Dorothy is building a legacy on the foundation of education and community that Colonel Allensworth established with his town.
Dorothy wanted to bring attention to the water issues Allensworth and the surrounding communities continue to have, as well as promote health and well-being in the African American community. Thus, the Colonel Allensworth 5k Run/Walk for Health was created and has been the opening event of the Annual Rededication Ceremony for the past 15 years! This year’s race will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, and you can register here, or sign up on the day of the event. The Rededication Ceremony is free and open for all to attend. The Annual Rededication Celebration serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and celebrating the diverse history of California and contributions made by African Americans in the development of the state and our nation.
The race also serves as a fundraiser. In fact, Dorothy has helped raise over $40,000 for Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park over the years from race fees and sponsorships. The funding has provided program and interpretive support to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park — from self-guided tours to interpretive signage and restoration work — that would not have been possible without her dedication. Runners and walkers get to check out 3.1 miles of the park on foot, starting at the home of Colonel Allensworth and his wife, Josephine Leavell Allensworth. Participants run toward the park campground then head back to the start, passing historic homes and buildings along the way, then finish (or continue!) their celebration with vendors, food, and drinks at the Rededication Ceremony.
