Locality
Fredericksburg
Occupation
Educator and Health Care Advocate
Biography
After earning a bachelor's degree from Virginia State College (later Virginia State University), Accomack County native Marguerite Bailey Young continued her studies at Columbia University and the University of Virginia. She began teaching in Greensville County before relocating in 1957 to Fredericksburg, where she taught business classes at the segregated high school. Her skills and passion for education led to her promotion as a principal in 1976 and later to her position as director of instruction for the city's schools. Dedicated throughout her 40-year career to providing a strong education to all students, Young secured grant funding for underprivileged schools through the federal Title I program, spearheaded the establishment of a community tutoring program, and helped implement a program to help minority students cover college application costs.
A champion for accessible health care, Young was a founding member of the Healthcare Assembly to assess medical needs in the community. She sat on the board of trustees for Mary Washington Hospital from 1988 to 2000 and helped establish its Community Service Fund (later the Community Benefit Fund) to support health care projects around Fredericksburg. She helped create programs that provide mobile health services in local school districts and access to medications with free prescriptions, and also directed the wellness center at Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site). Young has received numerous accolades for her community activism, including the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce's Prince B. Woodard Leadership Award for vision, integrity, and extraordinary service.
2018 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History honoree, Library of Virginia and Dominion Energy.
Watch Marguerite Bailey Young's speech at the 2018 Strong Men and Women in Virginia History awards ceremony on February 7, 2018.
A champion for accessible health care, Young was a founding member of the Healthcare Assembly to assess medical needs in the community. She sat on the board of trustees for Mary Washington Hospital from 1988 to 2000 and helped establish its Community Service Fund (later the Community Benefit Fund) to support health care projects around Fredericksburg. She helped create programs that provide mobile health services in local school districts and access to medications with free prescriptions, and also directed the wellness center at Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site). Young has received numerous accolades for her community activism, including the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce's Prince B. Woodard Leadership Award for vision, integrity, and extraordinary service.
2018 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History honoree, Library of Virginia and Dominion Energy.
Watch Marguerite Bailey Young's speech at the 2018 Strong Men and Women in Virginia History awards ceremony on February 7, 2018.
File Citation(s)
Image Courtesy of Mark Olson.