Uncrowned Community Builders

Laura Pleasant was born in Dayton, Ohio to Aaron and Thelma Griffin on November 16, 1937. The family moved to Niagara Falls, New York when Laura was four years old and her older brother, Logan Alfred was eight. Their parents instilled in them at an early age to treat everyone with respect and expect it in return. In addition, their parents also stressed the need for Education, Character, Determination and Hard Work to achieve the "American Dream".

Laura graduated from Niagara Falls High School at the age of 16. She received numerous monetary awards to aide with her education. Some of these awards were: The Zonta Club Award , The Elks Oratorical Scholarship Award, and The Niagara Community Center Scholarship Award.

She is a graduate of Buffalo State College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education at the age of 20. She is also an alumnus of Indiana University with a Master's Degree in Education and a minor in Exceptional Education. In 1989, Laura received The Certificate of Advanced Study in School Administration and Supervision (C.A.S.) from State University of New York.

Laura Pleasant made the American Dream a reality and retired as an Administrator from the Niagara Falls School District. She has always had a great love of children and a devotion to helping others. After 38 years, her Legacy includes a gamut of education: Teacher of special needs children, Educational Diagnostician, Assistant Principal and Principal. Her commitment to the Niagara Falls community was truly exemplified by her dedication to students, parents, staff and the community as a whole. She was actively involved in many district initiatives and community endeavors.

Some of these were: Member-Magnet School Advisory Committee, Member-Shared Decision Making Site Committee, Board Member-Family& Children's Service of Niagara, Member-National Alliance of Black Educators, and Volunteer-American Red Cross.

Laura has not spent her retirement years idly. She has spent many volunteer hours working with the following organizations: Niagara Falls Chapter, The Links, Incorporated, Women for Human Rights and Dignity (WHRD), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (Golden Soror),Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church, and The Women's Missionary Society.


Most of all, Laura cherishes her family. She has two children: Sons (Al) Eggleston and Leonard L. Pleasant. She is also the Grandmother of three: Van, Allen and Shelton and Great Grandmother of two: Callie and Madison.