Sharon Keyes has recently joined the Boston chapter of the Mass Senior Action Council, but her journey as an active volunteer in her community is far from new.
Growing up in a church environment, Sharon’s parents demonstrated that attending services or meetings was just the beginning of community involvement. They actively served the church, engaged in various community projects, and often hosted fellow church families for meals and gatherings. Sharon fondly recalls, “If the church doors were open, we were there. I was truly blessed to be part of our church during that time. We attended church camps in New Hampshire and met people beyond our usual circle.”
This foundation inspired Sharon to pursue a career in education. After earning her teaching certificate, she began teaching at the Patrick J. Kennedy Elementary School in 1978, becoming the second person of color hired there. Elaine Randolph was the first of color at that school and she was happy to see Sharon join her. East Boston was not always “welcoming” to newcomers, but Sharon recalls her experience as positive: “My friend and I were the first teachers of color at the school, and I was fortunate not to face the ugliness that many experienced in Boston during that era. We got along well with our colleagues and formed lasting friendships.”
After several years at Kennedy, Sharon moved to the Woodrow Wilson School, where she taught middle school. “I loved that age. While many think it’s challenging, I had no issues; the students knew I wouldn’t tolerate disrespect. I often heard them tell others, ‘Miss Keyes is no joke!’”
After two decades in the classroom, Sharon transitioned to the administration side serving as Assistant Principal at three different schools for a total of 17 years retiring from the The Mattahunt School in 2016. Reflecting on her time there, she said, “I worked with four to five strong women who supported each other. Those who claim women can’t get along are not telling the truth. We collaborated effectively and uplifted one another. Both the staff and students were a blessing to me.”
One of those colleagues, Sherry White was the nurse at the school and now a MSAC member, introduced Sharon to MSAC and encouraged her to participate in the Boston property tax campaign. Initially, Sharon expressed some reservations, stating, “I’ve kept myself busy since retiring and have been actively involved in my church as a Deaconess at 12th Baptist, where I led a mission to provide essentials for a boys’ orphanage in Honduras. I was hesitant to take on more commitments, as I want to give my all when I volunteer. Sherry told me about the group working on lowering property taxes. She encouraged me to attend a meeting, and I was amazed. at how Mass Senior Action empowers seniors to raise their voices. At my first meeting, I heard from an 81-year-old who returned to work to cover her property taxes. It hit me that I have more years behind me than ahead, and I took for granted that my situation was different from others. I never imagined I would speak at a hearing or walk the halls of the statehouse, but I want to leave my home to my daughter. I believe our faith overrides our fears, and at Mass Senior Action, we can collectively make a difference and improve our community for everyone.”