Uncrowned Community Builders

Mary E. Randolph served for thirty-two years as the Director of Bethel Head Start Program in Western New York, serving low income pre-school children. In 1966 she wrote a proposal for Head Start that was funded in 1967 for $152,000 to serve 133 children in two locations in Buffalo. Under Mrs. Randolph's leadership, this program expanded to serve 575 children and a budget of $3,442,000 in thirteen different locations in Buffalo, Depew, Amherst, Cheektowaga, and Bowmansville. Through her skillful negotiations she guided this program through many collaborations and partnerships with a staff of 102 employees and numerous volunteers. To name a few: Collaboration with Buffalo Public School Even Start, Universal Pre-K, Erie 1 BOCES, State funded Pre-K, Gateway Therapeutic Pre-K, and Summit Academy. These collaborations support the parents by providing training for job preparation and extending the day to provide child care to allow parents to work or attend school.

She secured funds to add a center-based health clinic at the Michigan Avenue site, the only one of its kind nationally. The clinic provides medical care to children in Head Start. In 1993, Mrs. Randolph led her staff in coordinating more than 200 volunteers to build the first community constructed playground in the City of Buffalo, in a single day.

A native of South Carolina, Mrs. Randolph is a graduate of Allen University, Columbia, South Carolina and she received her Masters degree from Buffalo State College. Prior to joining Bethel Head Start she was a primary teacher in the Buffalo Public School System. Mrs. Randolph is a child advocate and believes in giving back to the community. This belief is demonstrated by her membership on many boards, including: Kaleida Health Board of Directors, Chairperson of Human Resources; Summit Academy School Board; King Urban Life Center Board of Directors; The Buffalo Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, Chairperson of Service to Youth; Leadership Buffalo Class of 1989; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Council member Emeritus SUNY at Buffalo; Law Enforcement and Diversity (LEAD Team); and the National Conference for Community and Justice.

She is also the recipient of numerous awards for her community service including: the University at Buffalo President's Medal, Black Achievers in Industry, Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Award, Region II Head Start Association, H.O.M.E. Director's Award, Brotherhood and Sisterhood Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice, Outstanding Service Award SUNY at Buffalo, AKA Life Long Learning Award, Woman of the Year Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Jamaican American Association Outstanding Service Award, The Buffalo News 1999 Citizen of the Year, YMCA Toast of Buffalo Award, and the Head Start Award of Excellence.

She is married to Thomas Randolph and the mother of Kimberly and Toinette. Kimberly is a teacher in the Buffalo Public Schools, and Toinette is a Special Assistant Attorney General. Mrs. Randolph is a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church and the church serves as Delegate Agency for the Bethel Head Start Program.