Uncrowned Community Builders

Garnet Wallace came to Buffalo to become the Superintendent of the Buffalo Friendship Home in 1947. A graduate of Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio, she began her career working with youngsters at the Dunbar Nursery School in Syracuse, New York. After leaving Dunbar, she took a position at the Albion Training School for developmentally delayed youngsters. This was during World War II and that position terminated when the former teacher returned from service and reclaimed her position. The loss of this job prompted her move to Buffalo.

Following positions at the Buffalo Psychiatric Center and the Western Reformatory in Albion, New York, Ms. Wallace accepted a position as an institutional parole officer with New York State in 1965. She progressed within the department, being promoted to field parole officer, senior parole officer, and ultimately was selected as the first female to supervise males in the Buffalo area. Eventually, she supervised parole officers in New York City, Manhattan, and North Territory. She retired in 1979 after thirty-two years of service in New York State.

Ms. Wallace has been an active volunteer in the community since her move to Buffalo. Early on she joined the Lit-Mus Study Club and served on numerous committees at the Michigan Avenue YMCA. She is an active participant in the work of Bethel AME Church, the Women's Missionary Society, and the First Episcopal District of the AME Church. She is the parliamentarian for the Western New York Conference Branch of the Women's Missionary Society as well as the Historiographer for the Western New York Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Other organizations to which she devotes her time and expertise include The Links, Incorporated, Buffalo Chapter; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Phi Omega Chapter; Women for Human Rights and Dignity; and the American Cancer Society. In 1988, Governor Mario Cuomo appointed her to the Board of Visitors of the Buffalo Psychiatric Center. She has been re-appointed for a fourth term as a Board of Visitors member.

Several groups have honored her for volunteerism and community activism. She received the Sojourner Truth Award from the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc.; the Edgar L. Huff Award, AME Area Missionary Society; Point of Light, New York Conference Branch, Women's Missionary Society; Community Hall of Fame, Bethel Head Start, Community Action Organization (CAO); Golden Heritage Status, NAACP, Buffalo Chapter; Founders' Day Award, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; and the Dr. M. Joan Cousin Humanitarian Award, Ministers Wives, New York Conference Branch.

Ms. Wallace states that her personal philosophy is to be willing to extend a helping hand, whether in the church, social organization, or disciplinary setting, to help find the way without antagonizing.

On Sunday, August 4th, Ms. Wallace celebrated her 95th birthday at a special service and luncheon at her church, Bethel AME Zion. She was honored by the city of Buffalo, which proclaimed that day, "Garnet Hicks Wallace Day" and by members of three organizations of which she has been a long-standing and contributory member; the Missionary Society of her church and region, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The Links, Inc.