Challenge WV Coordinator Linda Martin has retired,
stepping down from the organization she founded in 1998
Linda Martin's name has become synonymous with the fight to keep community schools open in West Virginia, holding firm with her beliefs and actions that all students have a right to an equitable education.
Her passion could have come from her coal-mining grandfather who stood up at the Battle of Blair Mountain.
Thomas Ramey and Linda Martin
Thomas Ramey who has been selected to replace Martin, said, "Linda Martin is a living example of a person that uses our democratic process to stand up for the underdog. Linda went from organizing in Lincoln County to being the statewide leader for small school advocates."
"She built Challenge West Virginia through the belief that each person who comes to our table has unique and worthwhile values that deserve respect. Linda is leaving Challenge West Virginia as a strong force to continue to work for the needs of children who live in rural areas," Ramey said.
Rachel B. Tompkins, president of the Rural School and Community Trust, said "Thank Linda Martin for showing us that everyday people can solve hard problems, staying focused on democratic process."
"Thank you for using your creativity, persistence and brain power to ensure that powerful people don't always have the last word," Tompkins said.
Martin was recognized at a special dinner held in Charleston in December.
Barbara Ferraro and Pat Hussey, founders of Charleston's Covenant House, said Martin values education as the great equalizer, recognizing Challenge WV as a movement for social change.
"For decades you have had a vision for all West Virginians - their hope for a better life and a better community...with a commitment and passion at great personal cost," Ferraro said.
Martin's interest became well known in state education circles during the landmark Recht Decision, that all students have a right to a fair and equitable education.
Martin lived in Lincoln County between 1976-1987, where her three children â Jeff, Elizabeth and Luke â all earned high school diplomas from the former Duval High School.
A young Martin at work during early years
Martin said she became directly involved in education after discovering "the pitiful conditions" at Griffithsville Elementary School in Lincoln County, where her children were enrolled in the 1980s.
As president of the local PTA, Martin said she went to the principal to discuss the age and deteriorated condition of textbooks in the school, and the lack of adequate school supplies.
"To say I was fighting an uphill battle is an understatement," Martin said, getting little sympathy or support from school administrators.
Martin said "I learned from the experience I had at the time that the only thing state officials were going to do was try to hide the inadequacies and mistakes of local school officials. They were all working hand-in-hand."
Martin's daughter, Elizabeth, speaking at a dinner recognizing her mother, said her mother was her best friend and mentor.
"She taught us love, to be kind, that material things do not bring happiness, that ALL people are equal and all people deserve opportunity, especially educational opportunity," she said.
Elizabeth recalled an incident when she was 10-years-old, when she joined the first-ever girls basketball team. "Mom was told to bake cookies and brownies as a fundraiser for our uniforms," Elizabeth said.
"She asked why my older brother Jeff's uniforms were paid for and ours were not."
Martin went to the next PTA meeting and brought up the uniform question, being met with blank stares. She then went to the Lincoln board meeting, repeating her question.
The superintendent Charles McCann "condescendingly told her not to worry about things she didn't understand."
"Mom then stood up and quoted Title Nine, after which Mr. McCann was annoyed and told her to sit down and shut up."
"That was a huge mistake," said her daughter.
Eighteen months later, Mr. McCann and two board members found themselves in hot water due to misappropriation of federal funds.
"I learned to never let anyone tell you to sit down and shut up, especially when you are standing up to speak for those who can not represent themselves," she concluded, saying all three children in the family now have college degrees.
Martin said the conditions in Lincoln County schools were "outrageous," so she formed a local group called Parents for Better Schools.
That organization became involved in educational issues, including consolidation.
Martin formed the West Virginia Education Project, which she hoped to organize into a statewide effort to give parents more say in the operation of public schools. That movement evolved into Challenge WV.
Martin, the first member of her coal mining family to graduate from college, went to Marshall University, where she became a member of the faculty and taught sociology. She later was affiliated with the Highlander Education Center.
She said, "Thomas Jefferson was right. Citizens have to get a good education to be able to properly participate in democracy. I am convinced that is correct and I have been motivated to see that every child gets a chance at an equal education."
"A child's world starts at home, in a community, a place on the earth. It is at that place where education, vision, courage and critical thinking begins," she said, admonishing educators for placing young children on long bus rides several hours a day.
Martin said her replacement, Thomas Ramey, is one of the state's outstanding young leaders.
"Thomas will be a key person in the organization as it moves ahead," she concluded.
Tammi Stollings (left) representing Gov. and Mrs. Joe
Manchin, presents special recognition to Martin (center)
during December dinner, Thomas Ramey (right)
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