Uncrowned Community Builders

A native of Georgia, Mrs. Mozella Richardson moved to Buffalo in the 1940s. She is a graduate of the former Fosdick Masten Park High School. Mrs. Richardson also attended Erie Community College as well as Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa.

Mrs. Richardson is known for her advocacy for parental and community involvement in the educational system. She was always an active member of school PTAs and many other school-related groups. She once stated, For many years I have recognized the important role schools play in the life of the community. I strongly agree with the old adage that "an uneducated and underdeveloped mind is a terrible waste." In an urban setting like Buffalo it is possible to provide various educational options for students and their families to choose from. Therefore, I support a multi-disciplined educational system which affords our students an integrated educational experience. However, for any educational program to be successful, parents and educators must be equal partners. To that end I have always been and continue to be a strong advocate for parental involvement in all aspects of their child's education.

Before running for the school board, Mrs. Richardson worked as a teacher's aide. She first was elected to the Board in 1974 as an activist parent. Representing the Central District throughout the course of her tenure, she served four terms as Board President, twice in the early 1980s, once in 1992-1993, and again in 1993-1994.

As a Board member, she introduced the idea and design for the School of Music and Performing Arts, suggested the formation of the Board/Community Transportation Committee and the Board/Community Sports Committee. She organized the Central District School Committee and led the discussion at the Board for the change of name of School #39 to the Martin Luther King Community School. In addition, she chaired the Community Advisory Committee for New Construction of the Stanley A. Makowski Early Childhood Center. Mrs. Richardson retired from the Board in 1995, after 21 years.

February 28, 1995 was proclaimed Mozella Richardson Day by then County Executive, Dennis Gorski. Mr. Gorski presented Mrs. Richardson with the Cora P. Maloney Award and an Erie County commemorative plate.

Mrs. Richardson was employed by the Community Action Organization of Erie County, Inc. (CAO) for 25 years. She was Center Manager of the Ellicott CAO Neighborhood Services Center. She is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions including: Family of the Year from the Buffalo Branch NAACP; Brotherhood and Sisterhood for Community Service Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice, Community Service Award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Outstanding Service Award from the Community Action Organization of Erie County, Inc. (CAO), Hadji Court Temple #62, Mother of the Year Award, and Family Life Award from the Buffalo Urban League.

Mrs. Richardson was married to the late Herbert L. Richardson and together they had ten children.