The Baltimore Red Line is made up of four segments. Each segment of the 14-mile corridor has its ambassador, communities, and opportunities. We spoke with Red Line Ambassador Doris Duren to learn more about her and the segment she operates in. The Baltimore County Segment runs from the Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) in Baltimore County to Edmondson Avenue. Red Line Ambassadors are liaisons between the project team and the community.
Tell us a bit about yourself, what do you do when you’re not working as a Red Line ambassador?
I am a wife, mother of three adult children, and proud grandmother of six grandchildren. I am also a retired energy industry professional and community relations consultant who enjoys engaging in community outreach and service. I worked in the energy industry at BG&E for 30 years in various capacities and earned a Masters of Human Resources degree from John Hopkins University. I am an officer of Morning Star Baptist Church (MSBC) in Woodlawn, MD, where I also serve as the President Emeritus of MSBC 5 Star Program, Inc., a non-profit community development corporation (CDC) also located in Woodlawn that services West Baltimore County and City communities with life-enhancing resources. I enjoy reading, entertainment, historical movies, public engagement, and advocacy.
How did you get involved with the Red Line, and why did you become an ambassador
Rev. Anthony Brown, a Red Line consultant and fellow church member, informed me of the project’s revitalization and, recognizing my passion for serving the community, asked if I would be interested in supporting the Red Line. Of course, I said yes to this opportunity to further inform, engage, and advocate for what I believe is a real asset to the West Baltimore corridor.
My current position as a Red Line Ambassador affords me the opportunity to inform and engage the community about the Red Line. Specifically, I reach out to individuals, organizations and businesses in West Baltimore County through various mediums of communication to apprise them of the project status, while building relationships and advocacy for the Red Line. This position also requires me to provide facts, collect data and information about community perceptions, dispel rumors, and regularly update the general public about the project.
Tell us your favorite place to visit within your segment.
I primarily attend Morning Star Baptist Church for worship and service and, secondarily, the Woodlawn Senior Center and Recreation and Parks sites. Both provide great opportunities for me to engage with a diverse group of residents who are potential users of the Red Line. I also frequent Security Square Mall to shop.
What are the biggest challenges and opportunities for your segment?
The greatest challenges I see for my segment are the revitalization plans for the Woodlawn Security areas and the impacts of the changing landscape. The expanded growth of residences, as a result, traffic management, overcrowded schools, and the engagement of the diverse needs of the community. On the other hand, these challenges present opportunities for the aging community to be revitalized as we embrace new individuals, families, and diverse populations that infuse new thinking, opportunities, and energy within the communities.
What is the most common feature you get asked to implement at future Red Line stations?
Mobility – challenged access, lighting, and adequate adjacent parking.
The Red Line project will include new amenities like lower floors, allowing passengers to board the train without climbing stairs, quiet operation, and enhanced street lighting. Learn more here.
What do you want community members in your segment to know about the Red Line and your work?
The Baltimore Red Line is a practical transportation project being planned to serve the people along the corridor with time-saving, efficient service and workforce development opportunities that will support economic development and yield community growth.
How can community members get in touch with you?
If you have questions about the Red Line in the Baltimore County Segment, you can contact Doris Duren at outreach@redlinemaryland.com. If you’d like to learn more about Red Line Ambassadors in your area, visit here.
