May 18, 2007 - The founder of Gwen's Girls and the first African American Police Commander, Gwen Elliot, was laid to rest May 17, 2007. Funeral services were held at Mt. Ararat Baptist Church with Reverend Joan Prentice as the officiant. Back in the late 80's , I had the pleasure of meeting Gwen years ago and I will miss her very much. My family owned a business called "Vera and Rick's Lounge" in the Hill District and Gwen was their quite often for lunch. She always kepted it real with me and I am glad that I knew her personally. She paved the way for many woman to reach goals that were not able to be met years ago. Along with being the first African American Police Commander, her greatest achievements involved her struggle to make crimes against women and children, priorities in the police department. After retiring from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Elliot founded Gwen's Girls (www.gwensgirls.org) --as she recognized there was a lack of understanding for the complexity of the needs of at-risk, and that existing services fell short of meeting these gender-specific needs. Family, friends, community leaders, Pittsburgh police officers and other law enforcement officers came out to pay their respect to Gwen.

Everyone had something powerful to say about "Gwendolyn June Campell Elliot".

REVEREND JOAN PRENTICE

She gave freely of herself and we thank God for the giver.

VANESSA GERMAN - ACTOR, SPOKEN WORD ARTIST & ACTIVIST

She was the person who told me most about how I should be as human being.

POLICE OFFICER MARITA BRYANT

Gwen inspired me to be where I am today. She taught me so many things. She was the type that would have a conversation with you and when the conversation was over, you were going to a meeting, going to volunteer somewhere or you were going to sign up for something. She persuaded you to do these things without you knowing you were being persuaded. You did it because Gwen asked you to do it. I ended up in many situations and wondered what I was doing there. I would ask someone and they would say "GWEN". She would call you up and say, "Hey, what are you doing tomorrow", and I would say nothing. Gwen would say, "You know there is a luncheon tomorrow?" I would show up and Gwen wouldn't even be there. She had a plan for everything she did. She cherished women and children. She changed the way we do business today because before she went into family crisis, it was not a priority in the police department. She was about women, family and children issues. She changed all that. If you abused a child or a woman, Gwen made these issues a priority. Even though it may have been on the books - it's how officers looked at it. It just wasn't at the top of the charts and Gwen put it at the top. She was dynamic and inspiring.

DARNELL DREWERY - CENTER FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE AND CRIME & ONE HOOD

The thing that impacted me the most about Ms. Gwen was her easiness to talk to. She was someone who was in her position and so important to the community and to our city. She did not disconnect herself from everyday people. The grassroots people are the ones she cared about and that's what mattered most to her. She never forgot who you were because when you seen her again, she didn't forget your name or your face. She met of people and for her not to forget you was great.

REVEREND CORNELL JONES - ONE HOOD

Sister Elliot was a world changer to me. I studied her alot. She didn't just talk about stuff, she was about action. She saw things that were missing and girls that were suffering. She came out and started her ministry, which was "Gwen's Girls". She saw a piece and stepped in and went into action and I give her much respect for that. I didn't know her very well, but I knew about the things she did. To me, she is one of my heroes.

BETH PITTINGER - CITIZENS POLICE REVIEW BOARD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Commander Elliot was one awesome woman. They often say that brilliance is shown when you've done something that has affected a civilization and we've got to say that about Gwen.

POLICE OFFICER LETHA MARSHALL

Gwen was a good person and she will missed throughout the police force.

POLICE OFFICER VICKY

She opened doors for women and for everyone in the police force and she will be missed.

LAWRENCE DEMARZO - HOUSE OF THE CROSSROADS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Gwen was a wonderful woman. Someone who committed their life to the community and to helping people to making it a better place for everyone. She understood that if one suffers, all suffers and I think that Gwen knew we all have a responsibility to make our community a better place.

CHUCK "THE HOME LOAN SPECIALIST" SANDERS - URBAN FINANCIAL

Gwen Elliot was obviously someone we all looked up to as far as charity and business people. Especially charity, because she called us several times about Gwen's Girls and when she called you knew it was from the heart. Her son, Bishop James, is someone that I really admire and look up to because he turned his life around and he is always out in the community. He obviously got that from his mother Gwen.

POLICE OFFICER BRENDA TATE

I don't know what you could say about a friend and colleague that has contributed much in many years. There will never be another Gwen. I would hope that whatever she's left would continue through many young women as possible.

SEE ALL THE FRIENDS, FAMILY, COMMUNITY LEADERNS AND POLICE OFFICERS AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO CAME OUT TO PAY THEIR RESPECT RIGHT HERE