Mary C. Parker, alumnus of the Coro Fellows program and manager of training and learning partnerships at Coro Pittsburgh, has been recognized by the Dignity & Respect Campaign as the May 2014 Dignity & Respect Champion. Mary is dedicated to expanding inclusive dialogue in order to provide equal opportunity for all throughout the greater Pittsburgh area. Raised in Georgia, Mary was both subject to the shadows of racial discrimination and exposed to civil rights advocates. These aspects inspired Mary to build her career around social justice issues in communities and in the work force. While an undergraduate student at Emory University, Mary became involved with Emory’s campus relations by monitoring community dialogue regarding Emory’s race history. She continued this work after college while working for City Year, a program that strives to provide a proper education to high poverty communities. Mary worked to audit dialogue, educate, train, and inspire individuals on issues of racial inclusion in Atlanta and Seattle.
After relocating to Pittsburgh, Mary started working at Coro Pittsburgh, where she trains NEXT Leaders as well as facilitates the Women in Leadership program. Mary strives to change a community by welcoming the opportunity to discard behaviors that exclude others based on race, gender, orientation, ethnicity, or religion. Growing up as an African-American in the south, Mary uses her personal experience as a foreground to her training method. During her monthly leadership programs and discussion groups, Mary takes participants through a process of introspection and self-reflection. The goal is to understand who they are as individuals and determine how they want to be treated based on this new understanding of self. Then, she challenges them to apply this new understanding and open-mindedness to other people they interact with in their community and in the workplace. Mary believes, “Social justice is more than an idea, it is a way of life. Working toward social justice comes from within.” Mary believes that humbleness can provide improvement for the greater good and help a community move forward.
When asked how it feels to be recognized for her efforts of treating people with dignity and respect, Mary responded by saying, “You never know who is watching you and who you might inspire. It reminds me that the work is important and has value in Pittsburgh. I’m honored that someone thought enough of my work to nominate me.”
Molly Burke Allwein, who nominated Mary for this honor, said, “Mary believes that diverse perspectives are vital to innovation. She fosters connection and collaboration among the diverse women in our group and she has led us to be more thoughtful, empathetic, and collaborative leaders who are successful at adapting and thriving in a rapidly changing world. As a group we discuss important and sometimes divisive issues such as the glass ceiling, LGBTQ identities and barriers, the many effects of race and ethnicity on women, and many other important topics. Mary flawlessly facilitates the discussion of tough issues and has dealt with conflict and differing opinions in a way that makes everyone’s voice and perspectives heard, valid, and important.”