Uncrowned Community Builders

Mary Ruth Kapsiak began her career as a NYNEX Corporation Customer Service Representative employed in Business Marketing. She served as Chairperson of the Upstate Telephone Commercial Union and served on the Telecommunications International National Organizing Committee and was a member of the National Coalition of Black Trade Unionist.

She has earned several degrees including a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication, University at Buffalo; Certificate of Completion, Orton-Gillingham Method for Reading from the Gow School in South Wales, N.Y; Master of Science in Exceptional Education, from Buffalo State College; Master of Science, Reading, Canisius College; and completed her certification in School District Administration from Canisius College.

She was a special education teacher and reading teacher at Community School #53 in Buffalo. Prior to her experiences at School #53, Mary Ruth was a reading teacher for grades pre-kindergarten through six at Broadway Village Elementary # 57 where she conducted assessments and evaluations while teaching the Orton-Gillingham method of teaching reading. In September of 2002, she worked as Adjunct Professor in Reading at Medaille College. Mrs. Kapsiak was appointed as Assistant Principal of Stanton Academy #31. In 2004, she was appointed Assistant Principal at Dr. Lydia T. Wright School of Excellence # 89. She ended her career with the Buffalo Public Schools as Supervisor of Elementary Education in 2006.

On May 1, 2007, Mary Ruth was elected to the Buffalo School Board as Central District Representative. On July 2, 2007, she was sworn in as Central District Representative, and on the same day was elected President of the Buffalo School Board where she served as President from 2007-2009. She stepped down as President and became Vice President of Executive Affairs July 2009 and served in that position until July 2010. Mary Ruth was re-elected to the Board of Education on May 1, 2010 and served as Vice President of Student Achievement and as of May 2011 she became President of the Board. She served on the Board of Directors for the Erie County Association of School Boards for three years and was a representative on the Council of Great City Schools from 2007-2009, a member of The Council of Urban Boards of Education Diversity Committee. Area 1 Director of The New York State Caucus of Black School Board Members 2013-2016,

Her professional associations include the following: Good Schools for All Advisory Board; Life Membership in the N.A.A.C.P, and served on the Executive Committee of the N.A.A.C.P., Membership in Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society; Vice President of the Metro Buffalo Alliance of Black School Educators; Member of The National Association of Black School Educators; Phi Delta Kappa Professional Organization; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter(Silver Star) and Life Member where she served as Vice President ,and President and has chaired several committees in the chapter; Member of the Erie County (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated; She serves on The Board of Directors, Teach for America; The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Diversity Council Committee, Served on the Board Directors of the Character Council of Western New York, and was elevated as an Ambassador to the Character Council; serves on the Ethics Committee for The Board of Education, Advisory board for McKinney Vento (Homeless School Children, and The Special Education Advisory Council as S.A.G.E. Advisor.

Mrs. Kapsiak is a proud member of the International F.& A.M. Masons & Order of Eastern Star, Incorporated, White Rose District Grand Chapter #9 of Niagara Falls, New York of Anointed Star Chapter #442. She recently contributed to Letters to Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, Her past affiliates include Board of Directors B.U.I.L.D. of BUFFALO, Incorporated, Buffalo Leadership Council, Board of Directors Women for Human Rights and Dignity, Board of Directors, and Advisory Council of the Buffalo Urban League, Delta Kappa Gamma International Society, a member of the following Alumni: University at Buffalo Alumni Association, Canisius College Alumni, and State University College of New York at Buffalo Alumni Association.

Her awards and honors are numerous: worked with the first group to organize The Coalition of 100 Black Women of Buffalo; The Annual White Rose of Distinction Award , The Martin Luther King, Jr. Woman of Distinction Award in 2016, Recognized by the Buffalo Council of School Administrators at McKinley High School 2016, Adult Education Division Graduation Ceremony 2016, Honors from The Parent Network Special Education Advisory Committee 2016, Fifty Women of Distinction Award 2013, Buffalo National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women Award 2013, Buffalo Christian Women's Council Award 2013, Outstanding Educator Award from Delaine-Waring AME Church 2014, Middle Early High School Pride and Appreciation Award 2014, recipient of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter Member of the Year Award 2011, Mary B. Talbert Civic and Cultural, Women and Men of Excellence Award, The SADOO Enterprises, Incorporated. Distinguished Citizen award 2007; N.A.A.C.P. Rufus B. Fraiser Human Relations Award 2005, listed in Manchester Who's Who 2005 and Who's Who Women in the East 2005, Western New York Educational Leadership Council award, 2003; Apple for the Teacher Award, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.1996; Regional Leadership Development Training Institute in 2002, Inducted into the Uncrowned Queens in 2001, Children's Hospital Outstanding Volunteer Service to Children's Champs 1996; NAACP Membership Award, 1986; International Register of Profiles, Cambridge, England, 1985; International Register of Profiles, London, England, 1983; Marquis Who's Who publication 1983, Buffalo Urban League's Advisory Council 1983, National Kidney Foundation Award in 1983; Black Achievers in Industry Award 1979, most recent contribution in the "Go Tell Michelle Audio" First Lady, Michelle Obama, and many more.

A native of Eutaw, Alabama, Mary Ruth Morrow Kapsiak spent her formative years in this city. She one of 8 siblings and is the daughter of the late Pearlie and Maggie Morrow. She attended Eatman High School where she graduated as Valedictorian of her class. She moved to Inglewood, California to attend college. She later moved to Buffalo, New York in 1964.

Mary Ruth attributes her accomplishments to God and a loving family. She is a member of St. John Baptist Church where she serves on the Trustee Ministry, Deaconess Ministry, Pastoral Ministry, Health Ministry, the Education Committee, Human Resources Committee, and The Board of Christian Education. She resides in Buffalo with her husband Jim.