Claudia E. Anyaso

Claudia Elaine Anyaso (neé Rawles) of Washington, DC, passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2024 at the age of 80. She was born on October 30, 1944 in Northhampton County, NC to the late Waverly and Louise Rawles and raised in Baltimore, MD. Claudia graduated with her Bachelor’s from Morgan State University and earned her Master’s from American University.

In her young adult years, Claudia was an activist and a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). She helped desegregate the Northwood Movie Theater in Baltimore and was active in voting registration efforts. In 2015, she, along with fellow alumni, was recognized by her alma mater Morgan State as a Civil Rights Pioneer and bestowed a Honorary Doctor of Law Degrees. Claudia also served our country through her service with the United States Information Agency (USIA) and the U.S. State Department as a civil and foreign service officer. She served in Washington D.C., Nigeria, Haiti, Niger and at the Pentagon in the Joint Chiefs of Staff office from 2000-2002. She was also a founding member of the State Department’s Thursday Luncheon Group and later attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. After 41 years of service, Claudia retired from diplomatic service in 2009. Following her retirement, Claudia taught Cross-Cultural Communication at American University and was involved with the Pickering and Rangel Fellowship Programs. An avid reader and lifelong supporter of public libraries, she also volunteered at the Shepherd Park Public Library.

A devoted sister, wife, mother, aunt and grandmother, Claudia will be sadly missed by her husband of 53 years, Victor, her daughters Catherine Anyaso, Patricia (Wyatt) Sasser, son Lawrence (Tamieko) Anyaso; three grandchildren Cierra, Noah, and Pierce; niece Alexis Lucas; nephew CJ Lucas, relatives, neighbors, and friends. Claudia is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Ronald Rawles; sister, Shelly Harris; and son, GySgt Vincent Anyaso.

Claudia’s final resting place will be Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, MD.