Honoring Greatness

Good evening. I'm honored to present this award tonight to an amazing woman, who also happens to be my mother.

Some of you in this room may know her as your fellow classmate walking the halls of Main right here at this high school.

Or you might remember her as your school PTO volunteer, in the workroom running the mimeograph machine, waving at students in the hall with stained purple fingers.

She might have taken over your class for a few minutes to give you a well deserved sanity break.

Or maybe Ms. G, your 4-H leader or bible school teacher.

Or maybe you knew her as your school board president.

Some of you in this room are even lucky enough to know her as aunt gale, mom or wife.

She wore all of these hats, many times all at once. She is dedicated to making the world brighter for children. And tonight, I'm honored to recognize that dedication and service to our local public schools.

Gale was born right next door in a small farming community. She began her educational journey in and graduated from the high school in 1964. Her father also served on this same school board while she was a student there.

She later pursued her studies in business education at a state college. She married and raised three sons, also attending school here. With my brother's daughter, we now have 4 generations of graduates.

By the late 80s, she was fully engaged in serving the students of our public schools. She served as the President of the local elementary Parent Teacher Organization and played a vital role in organizing Volunteers in Public Schools, also known as VIPS.

In 1982, she made history by becoming the first woman ever elected to this city's school board, serving as its president and being re-elected in 1987, where she continued her service until 1991.

I still remember walking through the kitchen on a school night as she literally juggled dinner in the oven, dishes in the sink, and making lists of todos on the refrigerator dry erase board.

All while having conversations with very concerned parents as she whipped a 10 foot phone cord around, sometimes accidentally clotheslining her boys as they ran recklessly through the kitchen.

Now, as you might imagine, being the first woman on the board was not without its challenges. But she faced each hurdle, and with her unique perspective as a mother and a woman, made significant contributions to the educational landscape.

Her leadership encouraged a balanced curriculum. She was dedicated to providing every employee within the school district a direct channel to express their innovative ideas and make them a reality. Considering we became and remain one of the most academically strong school systems in the state, these early efforts were not in vain.

Because of her dedication to listening to all those school workers, mom knew just about everyone. All three of her sons were quite aware that if we did anything at school, on the way to school, or after school, she would know about it before we got home that night.

But my mom's service extended far beyond the school board. She organized the local 4-H Club in 1979, leaving a lasting impact on the local community. The club was active over 3 decades. Her dedication to youth development was recognized with the 1984 State 4-H Key Leader and the State 4-H Alumni Award in 1985.

Her achievements reached beyond the local community as well, serving as an Extension Service Program Assistant for the county from 1988 to 1991 and later as a Program Associate. Both positions gave her the opportunity to promote and expand the 4-H program to the youth of our state, as well as develop new adult volunteer leadership to keep the momentum going.

Her passion for education and community improvements were further recognized by being named the City Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year in 1988, an award category that did not exist previously.

You can imagine that juggling these responsibilities, while dealing with three mischievous boys, was difficult at best. But she handled it graciously. There were times her schedule didn't allow her to drop her youngest off with family or a babysitter before a board meeting. It never stopped her from making her voice and those she represented heard.

She would walk into those meetings with her son in hand, a collection of books, crayons and more than a few prayers that it was enough to keep him entertained. It usually was.

I also know my mother would agree on this point. She could not have done it alone. An army of parents, volunteers, friends and relatives had her back. Our thanks goes out to each and every one of them for supporting her and being part of our extended family.

After a move to to southwest part of the state, she decided to complete her own education, attending the County Community College, garnering Dean's List and President's Award commendations. I was in college at the same time, and I remember discussing her coursework and how excited she was with the topics and the camaraderie she found with her younger classmates.

I know the impact my mother had on kids in the community. I was one of them. So many opportunities were provided to youth in need through schools, 4-H and her work with programs like the Open Arms Shelter.

As the first woman elected to the school board, she led be example, providing a new path forward for generations of local women interested in serving their community through elected positions and volunteerism.

These accolades were not what made her a special person and a leader in the community. And it was never her goal to achieve these recognitions.

It was her dedication to the children and teaching staff she swore to protect that made her stand out. She wasn't just attending board meetings. She was stacking chairs after the meeting. Painting the aging community building, sweeping the floor to ensure youth had a place to meet. Selling funnel cakes to raise money. Sitting in for teachers than needed a break. Helping battered women find security and self confidence as they started anew.

Whatever it took, she was there in the midst of it. Leading by example.

Thank you for being an incredible mom and a remarkable contributor to the success and protection of this city's youth. We love you, and are so proud of you today and always!