Earlier this month, Mary Steinmaus, coordinator of our Youth Act program, retired after 10 years of dedicated, exemplary service with Rural Action. During her time with Rural Action, Mary has worn many different hats, even serving as interim Executive Director.Mary came on board with Rural Action in 1999, after working as a program officer with The Stanley Foundation, a job that brought her in close contact with Rural Action and its many different programs. "I was so impressed with what Rural Action was doing that I took the first opportunity to move out her and join in the work," she said. "Here was an organization that walking the walk. They were actually doing what everyone in the sustainability movement was talking about doing - making sustainability a by-word for local people."
Although she has served in many different positions during her time with Rural Action, Mary said that the work that really "made her heart sing" was, and remains, community outreach. "It's so heartwarming when you see people really get it -- people who have been ignored and disempowered for their entire lives realize that they have strength."
Her retirement, she said, will enable her to emerge renewed and reinvigorated for the next project that she tackles. For the time being, though, she's happy to simply be resting at home.
Rural Action thanks Mary for her tireless efforts and dedication during the past 10 years. Her voice and wisdom will be sorely missed, but we wish her the best in her retirement and hope that the legacy she has left at the organization will continue far into the future.
If anyone has any memories or stories from their interactions with Mary during her time at Rural Action, we encourage you to share them below by clicking on the "Comment" button located at the bottom of this article.
We would love to hear from you!
1 comments:
My first memory of Mary is inside an Earth Ball in the gym at East Elementary School. She had brought this wonderful tool for global education to share with our region. I was immediately drawn to her since we share common interests in global ed. Over the years I discovered many more connections: a passion for youth, a willingness to take on any task that would further Rural Action's mission. I am particularly delighted with the work she designed which came to be known as Youth Act, which got local students in our region involved in philanthropy. I am also forever grateful to her for stepping in as interim Executive Director during a challenging transition period. Her steadiness, sense of fairness and can do attitude were so important. We'll miss you, Mary!
Mary Anne
Post a Comment