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Washingtonians of the Year

For 36 years, The Washingtonian has honored men and women who give their time and talents to make this a better place for all of us. They find ways to enrich the lives of everyone they touch. Here are our local heroes. All photographs by Matthew Worden.

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Luis "Lucho" Velasquez

The door is always open at the Hermano Pedro DC Day Shelter at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in DC’s Columbia Heights. more

Jim Bugg

Late in 2004, Jim Bugg heard from a pal about a discussion the pal’s Marine son had at Thanksgiving dinner. more

Ludy Green

Like too many children, Ludy Green grew up with domestic violence. more

Betty Jo Gaines

The three-year-old arrived in August at Bright Beginnings, a free, nonprofit childcare center devoted to the District’s homeless. more

Donnie Simpson

When Donnie Simpson came to Washington more than 30 years ago to be on the radio, he wondered whether DC would accept him. more

Jerry Weast

Montgomery County was changing when Jerry Weast arrived to become the superintendent of schools in 1999. more

Lorna Green

Hope is a steel drum to Lorna Green. more

Jane Lang and Paul Sprenger

In 2001, on rundown H Street in Northeast DC, you might have seen a couple of well-heeled lawyers stepping through the remains of a movie house. more

Alison Malmon

Alison Malmon was a Potomac high-school student when her brother came home at the suggestion of the Columbia University counseling center. more

The Rosenbaums

“All the things that could possibly go wrong did,” Marcus Rosenbaum says. more

Brian Lamb

C-Span is not television, says founder and CEO Brian Lamb: “It’s the antithesis of everything else on the air.” more

Matt Gerson

When Matt Gerson began volunteering with the Prevent Cancer Foundation, not even his closest friends knew why. more

Leah Gansler

It helps to have friends in high places. more

Sidney Harman

Sidney Harman is a modern Medici. more

Past Washingtonians of the Year Honorees

Free John Hinckley

Thirty years ago, he shot President Ronald Reagan to show his love for Jodie Foster. A jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity, and ever since he has lived at DC’s St. Elizabeths Hospital. Now doctors say he’s healed and the law says it’s time to let him go. more

Our Valentine's Day Guide

Spending Valentine's Day with that special someone? Flying solo? Either way, here's our guide to make sure it's your best one yet. more

Killer App

Have a bunch of Silicon Valley geeks at Palantir Technologies figured out how to stop terrorists? more

Ask Harry and Louise: Does “My House, My Rules” Apply to Adults?

Our husband-and-wife advice team counsel a man wondering if it’s reasonable to expect his grown son to abide by the house rules. more

Sex—and Other Secrets

Iris Krasnow, the author of bestselling books on relationships, talks about what makes love last. more

A Conversation With Ivanka Trump About Winning the Old Post Office Bid

The Trump Organization says it’s committed to making the historic property the “finest hotel in the country, if not the world.” more

What to Do This Weekend: February 9 to 12

Woo at the Zoo, the opening of “Genesis Robot” at Synetic Theater, and the Washington DC International Wine & Food Festival. more

DC Government Will Step In to Prevent Muth Starvation

The Office of the Attorney General may seek a court order to prevent Albrecht Muth from starving himself to death while incarcerated. more