Uncrowned Community Builders

Kathryn Leigh-Kenney is a native of Olean, New York. Kathryn is the daughter of Waverly and Carrie Wyche Leigh. In 1919, the Leighs were on their way to Buffalo from Richmond, Virginia when they stopped over in Olean. They fell in love with the quaint little town and decided to settle down there. Mr. Leigh found a job as a chef immediately upon his arrival in the town and this also contributed to his decision to make Olean their new home. Kathryn's early education was completed in the public schools in Olean.

In 1947 Kathryn earned a B.A. in History and graduated Cum Laude from Virginia Union University in Richmond. The following year, she was awarded an M.A. in History from Howard University. Kathryn pursued post graduate work in Education at Fredonia State College, St. Bonaventure University, the University at Buffalo and Geneseo State College.

Kathryn began her teaching career in 1949 at Robert Smalls School, in Beaufort, South Carolina, where she taught third grade. During the same period, she taught English Literature at South Carolina State College. Upon her return to Olean in 1952, Kathryn was hired as a social worker for the Cattaraugus County Department of Social Welfare. She was the first African American social worker in Cattaraugus County. In 1956, she transferred to the Child Welfare Unit of the Department and worked as an adoption specialist.

After her marriage to Lucien Kenney, Kathryn left the Social Welfare Department to become a full-time home maker and mother to her sons, Scott and Craig. She returned to work in 1966 as the Director of the City of Olean's Head Start Program. In this position, she wrote grant proposals, evaluated programs and coordinated volunteers and parent participants. In 1968, Kathryn joined the Olean City Public Schools, again becoming the first African American to hold a teaching position in the school system. In 1969, she was honored as the Teacher of the Year.

Kathryn has been an active community volunteer, serving on the Olean Committee on Human Rights, American Red Cross Board of Directors and the Cattaraugus County Mental Health Society. She also was a Title One Board Member and a Committee member of the American Field Service.

Kathryn has served as the secretary of Adah Chapter #20 Order of the Eastern Stars. She is a member of the Jamestown Chapter of The Links, Inc. and has served as the Corresponding Secretary, Archivist, Historian, and Chairperson of the International Trends & Services Committee. For three years, from 2000 to 2003, Kathryn has portrayed a former run away slave, Sarah Johnson, during performances in celebration of Black History Month. She is also a volunteer at Fannie E. Bartlett Historical House.

As a member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Kathryn has been the Superintendent of the Church Sunday School, chairperson of the Memorial Fund, member of the Trustee Board and the Volunteer Interfaith Caregivers. In 2001, Kathryn joined Olean's First Baptist Church where she has served as the Worship Leader.