Margaret “Maggie” Kennedy

Margaret Kennedy departed from us this past summer.  “Maggie” is the role model for us all.  Her life, in itself, is a lesson in true humanity.  And we must carry on that lesson.  In this era when people appear to be into “haves” or “have-nots”, “givers” or “takers,” Maggie was unwavering that she would keep giving, no matter what.  She continued to dedicate her life to children, no matter where they came from or what their backgrounds.  To her, they were children, and that was all that was important.  And just as she was loving and caring, she would fight with the spirit of a tigress when it came to protecting just one child.  She saw education as the key to success and the great equalizer.  Thus, education became her career, her vocation, and her life’s mission.  She served for an extended period of time in urban as well as suburban districts.  She personally observed the rewards of good education and the sad consequences of poor or no education.  She saw the side of education that many choose too often to ignore in their hopes that things will just get better.  Yet, she persevered. She knew that without help and sacrifice, they wouldn’t.  Despite the obstacles and odds, she carried on her struggle for children and recruited others to work with her.

Maggie was always hardworking in many roles, from educator to community activist in Maryland and beyond. She served as a teacher, Baltimore PTA Council Chair, member of the Achievement Initiative for Maryland Minority Students Steering Committee, President of the Baltimore County Education Coalition, the BCPS Minority Achievement Advisor Group, and so many others.  She dedicated her professional and personal life to the betterment of children.  Over the years, her friends ceaselessly tried to convince her to retire. Maggie would have none of that. She felt that her work had not been completed yet. Maggie remains with us, and we carry her in our minds, our hearts, and our lives. She will continue to light the way for us in our efforts to bring voice to the voiceless.