Editorials - 07/18/02

Community has lost outstanding children's advocate

School Board Chairman Martha Cabe Queen, who passed away at Memorial Mission-St. Joseph's Hospital in Asheville on Saturday July 13, never wavered in her efforts on behalf of Jackson County's children and their families.

Through her eight years on the local school board and 21 years with the Department of Social Services, Martha placed herself solidly behind every effort to make things better for the county's youngest citizens. Beneficial programs we now consider institutions - from REACH to SmartStart to after-school child care - became reality through committees Martha chaired. Not once did she seek personal glory for these worthwhile accomplishments.

"I have been fortunate in areas where there were needs in the county and the region to help establish viable programs to bring about social change. Never did I do anything by myself... it was always a group effort," Martha said.

Those words were spoken in March 2000 when the Western North Carolina Women's Coalition named Martha one of the region's 10 outstanding women for her myriad contributions to her community. These words are vintage Martha, who always placed value on cooperation and sought consensus.

As school board chairman, she went to great lengths to secure information from the public before making important decisions. When a school system committee recommended consolidating the county's junior high youth into a middle school, Martha spearheaded forums at every elementary school to determine what parents and teachers thought would be best. The ultimate decision - to remain with Jackson County's K-8 organization - came after hours of community input.

Martha's integrity as an elected official was never questioned in this newsroom. While we disagreed with her on several occasions, we never doubted her determination to do what was best for local schoolchildren.

Martha's lengthy 17-year battle with cancer offers further evidence of the strength of her spirit. More than once it looked like she was down for the count, but she always fought back courageously.

The children - and all of Jackson County - will miss her valiant spirit.

Good-bye, Martha. And thanks for a job well done.

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