Celebrating Jesse M. Muldrew, Ph.D.

Dr. Jessie M. Muldrew led by example and was quick to share this message with the women and girls in her life: "There is nothing you cannot achieve if you believe in yourself and work hard enough to make it come to fruition."

Dr. Muldrew was presented the 2016 Libby Award for her philanthropic activities and service as a role model, mentor, and champion for women and girls. No stranger to hard work, this Flint educator exemplifies the values of Olivia P. Maynard, for whom the Libby Award is named. Dr. Muldrew had distinguished herself as a community leader and activist. Her positive attitude, pleasant personality, and professional demeanor always drew people close.

For 27 years she worked in the Flint Community Schools as an elementary school teacher, magnet program facilitator, and principal. When she retired from the school district she continued to teach, but at a higher level-as an adjunct professor at Eastern Michigan University, University of Michigan-Flint, and Baker College of Flint.

While working full time, Dr. Muldrew earned a PH.D. A published author and motivational speaker, she was passionate about encouraging the development of our youth, facilitated workshops to train and equip future leaders, and also wrote and recited poetry.

Beyond work, Dr. Muldrew contributed her time, talent and treasure to many philanthropic activities on behalf of women and girls. In 1986, she reorganized the high school girls group, "Xinos," which is sponsored by the Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, Inc. She served as the Xinos advisor, and continued to provide mentoring, leadership, academic, and personal growth activities. During her 42 years as a member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Dr. Muldrew held offices on the local, regional and national levels. She was responsible for scholarship funds for eligible recipients across the five regions of the nation.

Dr. Muldrew founded the "Hall of Living Legends," a program to recognize Flint area women in leadership and their outstanding achievements. She served as chair for 11 years, and enjoyed sharing the accomplishments of local women with young girls. She assisted in the development of the Flint Debutante Program, which later became a program of Quinn Chapel AME Church.

She served 15 years on the Genesee County Department of Health and Human Services Board; eight years on the City of Flint Human Relations Commission; she volunteered at Motherly Intercession, a local nonprofit that serves youth of incarcerated parents; and was a mediator for the Genesee Dispute Resolution Center.

She was an active member of Quinn Chapel AME Church, she served on the Steward Board, Turner Missionary Society, Praise and Worship Choir, Advisor to the Commission on Christian Education, and worked with the Sunday School, Youth Ministry, MEM Scholarship and Debutante Program Committees.

We honor Dr. Muldrew and her legacy will continue to live on. She reminds us: "Act as though it were impossible to fail. I can, I will, I must succeed!"