My name is Dorothy Jean McGraw Waites and I have been responsible for the oversight of the Fortress kitchen for over nine years.  Around Fortress, I am known as "Ms. D".

I grew up in Marietta, Texas living with my grandmother.  I moved to Fort Worth on my 9th birthday to help my mother with her children.  I am the oldest of twelve children.  I also have eight half-siblings.  I have four children, two girls and two boys, ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

I was trained as a medical assistant and worked as a nurse's aide and in home health care for about three years.  Before that, I worked as a cashier at a grocery store for over twelve years.

I have lived in the Fortress community for 53 years and am very active in community programs.  I hope to be a positive influence in the lives of the children and youth.

Fortress offers me an opportunity to combine my hobbies and talents (kids and cooking) to benefit the neighborhood that I love.

Kristen Guillory

Terri Henson

Ramon Smith

Michael Thames

Dorothy Waites