[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 24, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          MARGARET CASON WARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 24, 2011

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of 
the Third Congressional District of Florida, I rise now to offer my 
heartfelt condolences and pay tribute to the life of Margaret Cason 
Ward, a humanitarian, life activist and friend. As a woman who served 
her community as a renowned educator and community activist since 
moving to Leesburg in 1947, Mrs. Ward has been a ``Pillar'' within the 
many communities she was a part of. I am moved and encouraged when 
recalling the life achievements of this extraordinary woman of faith 
and community service.
  As a woman for whom education was important, Mrs. Ward was hired by 
the Lake County School District in 1947. By 2004, Mrs. Ward touched the 
lives of so many that she was recognized by receiving a place in the 
Governor's Wall of Fame as an `Outstanding African American Educator.' 
Mrs. Ward also founded the Dabney Minatee Heritage Group, Inc. and 
became the founding CEO. Realizing where her heart is committed, for 
the next seven years of her glorious life, she served as the Lake-
Sumter Community College Reach-Out Director. As Director, she initiated 
the McKnight Achievement Program at LSCC. Mrs. Ward was able to 
construct the first job shadowing program at Disney World. All of these 
great accomplishments lead to Margaret Cason Ward in becoming the first 
African American female to be nominated by the Lake County 
Commissioners and placed in the Hall of Fame.
  Mrs. Ward continued her regime of excellence by securing the position 
of the first African American that was elected President of the Church 
for Women United. At the state level, she was recognized and named as 
the Prestigious Valiant Woman of the CWU. She continued to serve the 
education system as a member of the Associate Board of Trustee for 
Bethune Cookman College. Another great life accomplishment of Mrs. Ward 
was in 2004 she was presented the key to the City of Orlando by Mayor 
Buddy Dyer. Mrs. Ward was elected President of the Central Florida 
Conference Women's Missionary Society and was later elected the first 
Vice President of the 11th Episcopal District WMS. After her term as 
Vice President, she was appointed WMS Episcopal President. Mrs. Ward 
was also appointed Connectional Chairperson of the Christian Social 
Relations Committee.
  As a community activist, she gave of herself and her talents to 
benefit both the individuals and the organizations she served. Mrs. 
Ward was a Charter member of Epsilon NU Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, is a 
lifetime member of the NAACP, and has served as a member of St. Paul 
A.M.E. Church since 1947. As a woman of integrity and character, 
Margaret Cason Ward was both gifted and inspiring. Where she saw 
potential in others, she gave them impetus and encouragement; where she 
saw despair, she brought direction and promise; and where she saw the 
need for love and caring, she unselfishly gave of herself. She has 
impacted the lives of so many that the Leesburg African American Museum 
was named in her honor.
  In Margaret Cason Ward's passing, we pay tribute to an accomplished 
woman and her life of service to each of us. She will be remembered and 
respected because she chose to care. We pray that by her example that 
each of us becomes the bearers of her humanitarian legacy. We come now 
to join in prayer for her loving daughter Randreta Ward Evans; her 
three grandchildren, Rhonda, Chad and Regina; and her great-
grandchildren, Kishawn, Kivante, James and Madison; and a host of 
loving relatives and friends throughout the community, whose lives have 
been forever changed by this woman of excellence and peace. We thank 
Our Heavenly Father for allowing us to be blessed with the time spent 
with Margaret Cason Ward, our friend and sister.

                          ____________________