Meet our new AmeriCorps VISTA Member!

Mary Stuart grew up in Atlanta where an early mentor taught her about the impact of educational inequity through a high school learning exchange program. That experience 40 years ago led to a lifelong commitment to community engagement through direct service, nonprofit programming and public advocacy.

After graduating from Davidson College, Mary Stuart moved to Washington, DC to serve as a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Wyche Fowler, Jr. (D-GA) for education, environment, appropriations, and energy issues.  While working in Congress, she volunteered as an after-school tutor and summer academy teacher with Higher Achievement and has since worked or volunteered as a literacy tutor for children, adults, incarcerated students and second language learners. She also worked as a federal legislative advocate for several nonprofits, including the Trust for Public Lands, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, and Keepers of the Treasures, a national Native American cultural heritage association.

While raising her four children, Mary Stuart served two terms as Vice-Chair of her local Village Council and completed a Certificate in Nonprofit Mangement at Georgetown University.  She has also been an active board member for Reading Partners, Compass Pro Bono, the Alliance Française, and the Elon University Parents Council.  She is honored to be entrusted with the responsibilities of her VISTA assignment and looks forward to drawing on her experiences and education to continue supporting our community.

 
What are you most looking forward to when working with Raising A Village?

Mary Stuart:I look forward to the direct service experiences I will have with students and using my resources to bolster the wonderful work Raising A Village is already doing!