A life well lived often deserves an award, but that is something that most people will not actually experience. That is unless you’re Lorraine Claggett, who, at 90 years old, boasts a long history of community advocacy under her belt. People have taken notice of her remarkable life and contribution, leading to her being recognized at a special event at the Avalon next month during the special206th birthday celebration of Frederick Douglass. But before you reach for the phone to congratulate her, this award is a special surprise, so hush…
Since we couldn’t talk to Lorraine, we reached out to the people who know her best—her family, including daughters Sally Claggett, Susan Claggett, and Minga Claggett Borne. Together, they describe a litany of accomplishments starting as far back as the 1950s. It was then that she taught first aid and swimming for the Red Cross, something she continued to do for the next 30 years.
Although this was years and years ago, it is still an enduring memory as Lorraine is still remembered for bringing children to her family farm in Talbot County and teaching them to swim. Said Susan: “People who are in their 50s and 60s come up to me and tell me they remember taking swimming lessons from her. It was a time when many lower-income kids didn’t have access to the water (even though we’re surrounded by it), and my mom took it upon herself to say, ‘Look, these kids have got to learn to swim.’ So she taught them.” Added Sally, “There were no facilities with pools like there are now, and having that provided for them, including transportation, well, people definitely remember that.”
The 50s was also when Lorraine joined the Quaker faith after marrying Laurence Claggett, who was already a member. Her commitment to the Quaker community extended beyond personal belief, as she played a pivotal role in establishing an after-school program at the Third Haven Friends Meeting House.
Just forward a decade to a time when Lorraine was active in the Talbot Action Group. Then, she also co-founded, with Marsie Hawkinson, the Headstart program for Talbot public schools. “They decided the community could use one, so they made it happen. The 1960s was also when Lorraine became involved with the Neighborhood Service Center, which aids low-income families and elderly residents in Talbot County. Sally fondly remembers having ‘busloads of children’ coming from town for the after-school programs.
Throughout the 1980s, Lorraine devoted a decade to Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Mid Shore Peace Advocates, the Neighborhood Service Center summer program, and the Youth Tennis League at the YMCA of Talbot County. She served as a swim team mom at the YMCA and the Talbot Country Club.
In the 1990s and beyond, Lorraine’s activism evolved into diverse endeavors. She helped found Tax Payers for Common Sense, advocating for responsible spending, Peace Education And Community Effort (PEACE), and the Chesapeake Bay with the Chesapeake Foundation.
Despite her busy life and decades of community service, Lorraine was ‘just’ a mom to the five children she raised(and now grandmother to 11 grandchildren). She also managed to earn a BS degree from Johns Hopkins by attending night classes. This educational achievement led her to 20 years as a substitute teacher.
Now, at 90, age is still just a number for Lorraine, as she continues to prove year after year that there are always ways you can help and remain active. Even now, she remains enthusiastically involved as a volunteer with the League of Women Voters. “She always had this mix of getting things going,” said Minga. “She would start a project and then add spice to it. She’s inspiring to me.”
The inspiration is undoubtedly contagious.
If you believe the old adage about the apple not falling far from the tree, then it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Lorraine’s own mother spent many years working with the Red Cross International, traveling to hurricane-battered and flooded regions of the country. Sally continues the tradition by helping fight wildfires out west, embodying the family’s commitment to community service. Lorraine’s children remain actively engaged, contributing to committees and participating in various community initiatives. But then again, how could they not? Said Sally, “She always wanted to be out in the world doing good.” Minga adds, “And she’s a good mix of humility and a go-out-and-do-it activism. Mom was a giver.”
This brings us back to that well-deserved award.
On February 17th, during the 206th Frederick Douglass birthday celebration, Lorraine will receive the Lifetime Mentorship Award from The Bailey-Groce Family Foundation Inc. and Operation Frederick Douglass on the Hill. Said Tarence Bailey, the five-times great nephew of Douglass and founder of The Bailey-Groce Family Foundation: ‘I can say for my part being from the Hill–she came to the Hill and got us kids into programs like the Neighborhood Service Center summer and after school programs. She mentored many of us as director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Upper Shore. She mentored me from the age of 7-15 and kept me out of trouble.”
For more information about the event, go to: https://fdhill.org/frederick-douglass-206th-birthday-celebration-donation-brochure/
And don’t forget: shhh…
Val Cavalheri is a writer and photographer. She has written for various publications, including The Washington Post. Previously she served as the editor of several magazines, including Bliss and Virginia Woman. Although her camera is never far from her reach, Val retired her photography studio when she moved from Northern Virginia to the Eastern Shore a few years ago.. She and her husband, Wayne Gaiteri, have two children and one grandchild.
0 Responses
What a marvelous tribute to Lorraine Claggett. Not only is she a noted contributor to her community in myriad ways, but an excellent bridge player as well. I was fortunate to have been Lorraine’s duplicate partner until the games were disbanded when Covic hit. We played twice weekly for many years and Lorraine always remained good natured and agreeable even when faced with some unpleasant opponents. I can’t think of a more deserving person to be so recognized by The Talbot Spy.
Congratulations Lorrine! What a wonderful award!
Lorraine is one if my all-time favorite people. Even at 90+, she continues to participate in favorite causes, including civil rights. She is an inspiration to us all and fully deserves this award.