Marcia has lived her whole life in Hopkinsville, KY and is a retired educator after 34 years employment with the Christian County Public School System where she was a classroom teacher and elementary school counselor.
Why do you support the Association? Has Alzheimer’s disease personally affected you? If so, how?
My decision to become a Community Educator is two-fold. I had a family member with Alzheimer’s and at the time had very little knowledge about it, so I did not understand the change in her behavior. But since then I have been eager to learn more about this disease that has become so prevalent in our community and my counseling background naturally made me want to share this information with others who have family members living with Alzheimer’s. My interest was further fueled by the partnership that my sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. forged with the Alzheimer’s Association. Through our programs, we have sought to get the information out in the community through conferences and participation in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s as well as the Longest Day.
What impact do you hope your work with the Alzheimer’s Association will have on the community?
I hope to make an impact in the African American Community, especially, by educating, sharing resources, and encouraging an “open discussion” about this topic thus removing the stigma that has been attached to it. I want to be able to reach as many people as I can. And if each one reaches one more, then we can help many families now and also those who may, in the future, be affected by Alzheimer’s.
What else are you involved in within your community?
My husband Cletus and I are both active in our church - Mount Olive Baptist Church. I serve as a Sunday School Teacher, Director of Music Ministry, Deaconess Ministry, Youth Director, Culinary Arts Committee, Administrative Assistant to the Pastor, and whatever else my hands find to do! I am also on the Board of Trustees of Hopkinsville College of the Bible and I am active with the Regional and State Women’s Missionary and Educational Convention.