“Look How Far God Has Brought Me”- 75 Years and I’m Still Standing.
By Alline Anderson
Mrs. Margaret Montgomery celebrated her 75th Birthday this month on June 7th at the L.W. & Ella Owens Center, Carpenter Rd. here in Flint, MI. She was honored for her longevity and her steadfast determination in leadership.
She moved to Flint in 1976 from Cleveland, OH. Mrs. Montgomery was the oldest of seven children. She saw a great need for linking resources to families early in life when in Cleveland. Her 14 month old brother contracted Polio in 1950. That was the beginning of Mrs. Montgomery’s tireless effort to find proper resources. She sought out Easter Seals and the March of Dimes.
In 1966, her father needed heart surgery. There was no local blood bank so Margaret went to the church, community, friends and her dad’s co-workers. Over 200 responded surpassing the amount needed.
Mrs. Montgomery became Resource Referral Coordinator for Flint Assembly Truck & Bus Group and UAW Local 598 in 1977. She was so efficient that GM Management and UAW Local 598 asked her to participate in Leadership Flint. Margaret went on to graduate and stay active in the group. She said “In my opinion. Leadership Flint is the nearest way to get involved from the top, to know what Flint’s about”. As second shift C.A.R.E. Coordinator, Margaret was the recipient of the 2nd Annual A. Philip Randolph Award, joining such notables as U.A.W. VP Stan Marshall, Region 1-C Director Ruben Burks and Congressman Dale E. Kildee.
In 1986 Mrs. Montgomery was distinguished as the first blood donor at the newly constructed American Red Cross Center. Since 1966, when her late father, Ulysses S. Primm needed blood, Margaret has donated over 200 pints of blood to the American Red Cross.
Mrs. Margaret Montgomery community involvement includes: serving on the Board of Directors of the Genesee-Lapeer Chapter Red Cross, Urban Community Outreach, Greater Flint Chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute. Member of the advisory boards of Insight, YWCA and YMCA, United Way campaign cabinet, and Brothers and Sisters of Labor.
Margaret still participates in March of Dimes, Easter Seals fund drives, Biking for Burns, Special Olympics, Holiday Helping Hands, Old Newsboys of Flint and Toys for Tots. She was known to say, “I keep chiseling at the mountain, hoping it will fall on its own by linking families to resources available”.
Mrs. Margaret Montgomery’s favorite scripture is: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth”, III John 1:2.
