Local woman's granddaughter fights to honor her legacy with street sign topper
BENTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A local woman's granddaughter is fighting to honor her grandmother's legacy while she's still here to receive her flowers.
Musetta Hilliard, 99, has been a familiar figure in Benton Township for decades. Her granddaughter, Jada Hilliard, is asking Benton Township to install an honorary street sign topper bearing her grandmother's name as a tribute to her impact on the community.
"She's a pioneer," Jada Hilliard said. "I'm not trying to change the street name, just honor my grandmother's legacy."
Jada said she contacted Township officials on Jan.16 to ask whether Superior Street, the street Musetta lives on, could be renamed or an honorary sign topper added. She said she was told Benton Township no longer offers honorary street signs, a response she said was disappointing given her grandmother's contributions.
"She founded Hilliard cleaning service, which provided employment opportunities for many community members," her granddaughter said. She was also active in civic life, including membership in the NAACP. Jada Hilliard also said her grandmother was among the first black women real estate agents in Southwest Michigan.
According to Jada Hilliard, Township officials later told her the request would be reviewed by the township attorneys. That response came Tuesday, one day after Musetta Hilliard suffered a stroke.
Despite the setback, Jada Hilliard says she remains focused on preserving her grandmother's legacy. She operates a nonprofit organization, Musetta's Heart Foundation, named in her grandmother's honor.
"She has a big heart, "Jada Hilliard said. "I want to give back to the community the same way she always did."
The nonprofit aims to provide job training and career exposure for teenagers in fields such as construction and cosmetology. With Musetta Hilliard hoping to see her 100th birthday in December, her granddaughter said that time is a factor.
"Why not honor someone while they're still here?" Hilliard asked. "Most people don't even make it to see 21."
Benton Township officials held a meeting Tuesday and have up to 10 days to respond to the request, according to Jada Hilliard.