Biographies        |       Events        |       Organizations        |       Products        |       Poetry Page        |       Search

UQ Home       |       Go to Uncrowned Kings       |        Go to Uncrowned Community Builders       |

BIOGRAPHY:  Mary Ruth Morrow Kapsiak

Mary Ruth Kapsiak began her career as a NYNEX Corporation Customer Service Representative employed in Business Marketing. She served as Chairperson of the Upstate Union and served on the National Organizing Committee, and was a member of the National Coalition of Black Trade Unionist.

She has earned several degrees including a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication, University at Buffalo; Certificate of Completion, Orton-Gillingham Method for Reading from the Gow School in South Wales, N.Y; Masters of Science in Exceptional Education, from Buffalo State College; Masters of Science, Reading, Canisius College; and completed her certification in School District Administration certification from Canisius College.

She was a special education teacher and reading teacher at Community School #53 in Buffalo. Prior to her experiences at School #53, Mary Ruth was a reading teacher for grades pre-kindergarten through six at Broadway Village Elementary # 57 where she conducted assessments and evaluations while teaching the Orton-Gillingham method of teaching reading. In September of 2002, she worked as Adjunct Professor in Reading at Medaille College. Mrs. Kapsiak was appointed as Assistant Principal of Stanton Academy #31. In 2004, she was appointed Assistant Principal at Dr. Lydia T.Wright School of Excellence # 89. She ended her career with the Buffalo Public Schools as Supervisor of Elementary Education in 2006.

On May 1, 2007, Mary Ruth was elected to the Buffalo School Board as Central District Representative; July 2nd she was installed as Central District Representative, and on the same day she was elected President of the Buffalo School Board. Her professional associations include the following: Life Membership in the N.A.A.C.P, and serves on the Executive Committee of the N.A.A.C.P., Membership in Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society; Vice President of the Metro Buffalo Alliance of Black School Educators; Member of The National Association of Black School Educators; Member Phi Delta Kappa Professional Organization; Member Delta Kappa Gamma Society International; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter; Board of Directors, Women for Human Rights and Dignity; Past Board of Directors of the Buffalo Urban League, University at Buffalo Alumni Association; Canisius College Alumni, and State University of New York at Buffalo.

Her awards and honors are numerous and include: Worked at initiating the first group of The Coalition of 100 Black Women of Buffalo; N.A.A.C.P Received The N.A.A.C.P. Rufus B. Fraiser Human Relations Award 2005, Manchester Who’s Who 2005& Who’s Who of Women in the East, , Western New York Educational Leadership Council, 2003; Apple for the Teacher Award, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.; Regional Leadership Development Training Institute in 2002, Inducted into the Uncrowned Queens in 2001Children’s Hospital Outstanding Volunteer Service to Children’s Champs 1996; NAACP Membership Award, 1986; International Register of Profiles, Cambridge, England, 1985; International Register of Profiles, London, England, 1983; Marquis Who’s Who publication 1983,Buffalo Urban League’s Advisory Council 1983, National Kidney Foundation Award in 1983; Black Achievers in Industry Award `1979,and many more.

Mary Ruth attributes her accomplishments to God and a loving family. She is a member of St. John Baptist Church where she serves as a Trustee, Pastoral Ministry, Health Ministry, and contributes to the Sunday school. She resides in Buffalo with her husband Jim.