Patricia 'GeGe' Howard Quarry is a Woman in Control. With a positive vibe and a wonderful attitude, she has made it her business to blaze trails and persevere in the face of significant obstacles.

Born in West Oakland during the 1940’s post war boom, Pat is a loving mother and grandmother that didn’t let poverty and its circumstances stop her from living her best life. Asked how she got over she replied “I just did what I had to do”.

Pat has the gift of song and shares it regularly with fellow parishioners at Olivette Baptist Church. Her gift was recognized when she was selected as a cast member in the touring company of the Christian play “The Gospel Of Colonies” featuring the 5 Blind Boys, and performed at the Russian Embassy. That one tour was enough to secure Pat’s love of travel. Be it by plane, RV, or motorcycle {her preferred forms of travel}, she is seeing as much of the world as she possibly can.

Among her distinctions, Pat is the first and only female Street Sweeper Operator in all of California. Challenging to be sure considering her gender and African American race, but other career merits include her work on the construction crew for the Grove/Shafter I580 extension and her work helping build what we now know as the Marriott Hotel in Jack London Square, and first female Cement Mixer Truck Driver for Kaiser Sand and Gravel in Oakland, CA.

With 23 years as a City of Oakland Public Works employee under her belt, she has spent her career representing strong, capable women of color where many are rarely seen. Pat’s motto, “The door is open for those who want to follow.” has never ringed truer. Although she plans to retire at years end, her legacy will enrich those who follow her footsteps for generations to come.

Pat is best known for her active roll in the community with affiliations with the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., East Bay Democratic Club, Ladies In Red, East Oakland Hayward Section NAACP, to name a few. She has received many certificates and accolades for her outstanding efforts.

Pat was diagnosed with Breast cancer the day before her most recent birthday. Fortunately, she was diagnosed early and begun treatment immediately. She attends daily chemo sessions because she prefers to live through chemo rather than try to live with cancer. She encourages all women not to ignore their bodies. For others facing similar struggles, she encourages everyone to take the fear out of the situation by putting God first. “Remember you have cancer, cancer doesn’t have you.”

Patricia ‘GeGe’ Howard Quarry is a ‘WOMAN IN CONTROL’.