The Honorable Rev. Margaret Fountain-Coleman is a native of South Boston, Virginia located in central Virginia.
Education:
Rev. Coleman was considered a standout in education, advocacy, and community work. She was educated in the Halifax County Public School system. She completed her high school studies in 1982 and then matriculated to Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice-Legal Studies in 1986.
Rev. Coleman subscribes to the philosophy of being a life-long learner. In 2009, she graduated from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, New York earning a MS Elementary Education-Children with Disabilities. She then further her studies earning a MS Administration Leadership and Supervision from the College of St. Rose, Albany, New York in 2016. Her educational portfolio also logs her achievement with a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology from Duke University Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina.
Professional Career:
Rev. Coleman has been vested in the work of public service and public policy her entire lifetime. After completing her undergraduate degree, she returned to Halifax County-South Boston, Virginia and began her professional career with the local Virginia State Employment Commission as a Claims Adjustor. She served in that capacity briefly until she was hired at the Tri-County Community Action Program as the agency’s Program Planner and Grant-writer. She wrote successful grants that encompassed the program’s operating budget for the agency.
After her tenure with the Tri-County, Rev. Coleman relocated to Durham, North Carolina. Her commitment in the work of criminal justice always resonated. She joined the Durham County Public Defender’s Office as a staff investigator. She was assigned to 5 staff attorneys to investigate cases that involved misdemeanors to felonies. She remained in that position for several years and then was promoted to lead Investigator for the office.
Presently, Rev. Coleman is an educator in the Yonkers Public Schools. She teaches students with disabilities in grades 1-2. Her forward thinking in educating students with diverse learning styles has been a model for many of her colleagues. She is the liaison for the MySistersKeeper Program in her local school. She has also served as the liaison for on the district’s DEI Committee ensuring that sustainable, diverse, equitable, and inclusionary policies and practices are the framework for Yonkers Public Schools.
Political/Civic Engagement:
While residing in Tuckahoe, New York, Rev. Coleman served as an elected Trustee for the Village of Tuckahoe. She is the first African American woman to hold that position in the villages’ political history. After several years in Tuckahoe, Rev. Coleman and her family relocated to South Boston, Virginia. She also served as an elected Councilperson for the Town of South Boston, Virginia.
Rev. Coleman has held positions in numerous civic organizations. She currently is a member of the Westchester Black Women Political Caucus, National Council of Negro Women, Yonkers NAACP #2188, Yonkers Federation of Teachers, and former Vice- chair of Westchester Women’s Advisory Board. She was named 2018 Yonkers Woman of Distinction by the city administration for her service in her church and community. She has received honors from many local, state, and national organizations and groups.
Rev. Coleman is a published author. She is also a motivational speaker empowering women with the necessary tools to enhance their spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
