Gertrude LeBlanc Reflects On Challenges In Lower Ninth Ward
Sandra Gonzalez - Sandra@abc26.com ABC26 News

August 26, 2010
LOWER NINTH WARD—
The Lower Ninth Ward has gone through many changes in the past five years, and we met with a woman who watched it all happen.

It all started with a rosebush, when Tennessee Street looked like the wilderness.

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"When I look at that rosebush that was one of the things that I wanted done when I came to the Ninth Ward: plant me a rose bush," said Gertrude LeBlanc.

LeBlanc moved into FEMA trailer that is no longer here and as she swings, she remembers being one of the first to return to the Lower Ninth. She prayed for a house and a church responded.

"I said I want it to be yellow. Let it be a beacon for people to tell them to come on back so I said a yellow house," LeBlanc said.

She envisioned her porch swing and having neighbors again. She had no idea that pleasant young man, that's how she refers to Brad Pitt, would impact the Lower Ninth through the colorful Make It Right Foundation homes. She's surrounded by them.

L LeBlanc says a lot of good came after Katrina

"I got a better house. That's about, and you know what? It made me pray closer to God," LeBlanc said.

A couple of months ago, LeBlanc made a discovery in her fairy tale house that she wanted to show us so she allowed our camera in her attic.

After pulling back the insulation there it was: manufactured in PRC, which means China. LeBlanc also wanted us to see her bathroom.

"And I noticed the rust on the light fixtures here in here," she pointed to very rusty light fixtures.

She'd like the drywall to be tested for toxicity since it could cause rusting and health problems.

"Where am I go? I ain't goin' in no trailer 'cause they're full of formaldehyde? Where will I go? I have nowheres to go," LeBlanc said.

She hopes this potential thorny situation will blossom into something good.

LeBlanc says she hopes someone will test her drywall soon.