July 29, 2019
"For Faith, Strength, See Geraldine Young."
This is the headline of the Baltimore Sun editorial written by John Steadman in July of 2000 (and even if you never read a Monday Mission Update or feel you are just too darn busy, I urge you to stop and read this).
Truer words were never spoken. Geraldine Young defined dignity, grace and determination and we were fortunate indeed to be an object of her passions and the recipient of her time, talent and treasure. While her late husband, Buddy, was known for having been an acclaimed Baltimore Colt (memorialized on our Ring of Honor in the Weinberg Y gym), and one of the first African Americans to play in the NFL, Geraldine was a true force of nature, a passionate advocate for youth and for the Y’s enduring focus on Baltimore’s most challenged neighborhoods and people. She was particularly an advocate and supporter of the historic Druid Hill Y. She served on the Y’s board for many years and was an unflagging voice of conscience who would put anyone in their place at any time, when needed, her small frame be damned!
Recently, the world lost this graceful force. As sad as that is, perhaps we can use this as an opportunity to recognize someone who wasn’t content to sit on the sidelines and disparage those who were suffering, but who put all of her energy, tenaciousness and compassion to work to solve problems and to alleviate suffering. That’s the true meaning of citizenship.
In 2015, when Geraldine’s health took a turn for the worse and she moved to Rockville to be with family, I wrote this in a Monday Mission Update. It's as true today as it was then.
No one will ever be like Geraldine Young. She is a true original; both graceful and tough. I am so proud to know her, to have been touched by her indomitable spirit. She was one of the first volunteers I met when I started in this role in 2006. I’ll never forget that lunch; Geraldine sitting there in one of her trademark hats kindly but firmly lecturing me about what the Y is all about and how I needed to go about my business. When I think back about what she said, I can honestly say that she was 100% right in every way.
Just as her late husband was a star of incomparable determination and quickness on the playing field, so too is Geraldine Young an unstoppable force on the field of life. We owe her a great debt of gratitude for her lasting contributions to the Y and for the high bar she set for all of us to live up to her standard and special blend of kindness, compassion and strength.
Thank you, Geraldine. May you rest in peace.
All the best,
John
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland