Marilyn J. Praisner wasn't just the longest-serving women on the Montgomery County council; she was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Almost 11 years ago Marilyn was taken from our lives, but she left us with so much.
For 16 years, Marilyn worked as an intelligence analyst at the CIA. After she retired she served on the Board of Education in Montgomery County for eight years and served two terms as president. After her presidency, Marilyn served on the council for 17 years. She was in her fifth four-year term when she passed. She served three of those years as the vice president and three more years as the president. She also served as the president of the Maryland Association of Counties. She accomplished all of this by the age of 66. It makes me wonder what else she would have been able to accomplish in her lifetime if she wasn't taken away from us so soon.
To you, Marilyn J. Praisner is a woman who did so much for her community, but to me, she means so much more. She is my mom-mom. My grandmother. My role model.
Mom-mom,
I lost you at a very young age and was only eight years old when you died. I was unable to see all the hard work you put into our community, but I watched your legacy grow on even after you passed. You made such an impact on our community that they named two buildings and an award after you. Not only did you leave an impact on the community, but you left an impact on my life.
You taught me how important community service is. Looking at all your accomplishments and how much you gave back to our community I knew that
Growing up I constantly was doing community service, because you showed me that it is very important to give back to others. Over the time span of seven years, I was able to complete over 500 hours of community service. Whether it was with politicians like you, or with my school I just wanted to give back just like you did. Now almost eleven years after you have passed I sit at college wondering what I want to do my life. I'm still not sure, but what I am sure about is that I want to make an impact like you did. I have decided to major in social work. It's not as great as working with the CIA or majoring in political science, but because of you, I have taken an interest in social work policies. I want to advocate for my clients on capitol hill or working for a foundation like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
You are my role model because not only were you an amazing grandmother during the time that we had, but you are one of the strongest women I will ever know.
This month is heart association month. It's a time where we remember how we lost you and how people lose loved ones every day. It's a time that I really think about how much you mean to me and where I hope you are looking down at me. I hope that you are proud of what I am doing and that I am truly following in your footsteps to be the best women I can be. I will always love and will always look up to you. You're my forever role model and I know you are an inspiration to others as well. Thank you.
Your grand-daughter,
Rachel
