matters VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2 — 2018
my miriam story
MIRIAM is My Legacy Submitted by Susie Luten Miriam Board President
A
s I take on the presidency of the Miriam Board of Directors, I can’t help but think it has something to do with destiny. Miriam is in my DNA as my great-grandmother, Fannie Landau, was the founding president and both of my parents were also very involved. I have truly lived the Miriam story first-hand and I am ready to carry on the family tradition. I believe Miriam is poised to help even more children and families with all the incredible work we do Susie and Sam Luten with Susie’s sister, Linda Kintz (far left) and daughter, Emily Maltby (second from left) in the community. My early memories of Miriam include volunteering in the classroom at Miriam School during my high school years. My mother, Margie Frank, a past president of Miriam, took my sister Linda and I to the Miriam Shop to help with tagging merchandise and sales. My parents were so committed to Miriam that they made my sister and I lifetime members right out of high school! Though my wonderful parents, Margie and David Frank, are no longer with us, they wanted to make sure we were always a part of Miriam. Before my Mom passed away, she asked me to remain connected to Miriam and I promised her that I would. I know that Mom would be so happy that both Linda and I are on the Miriam Board and that I am president for the next two years. Our connectivity to Miriam spans decades and we both have many relationships with current and former teachers, Switching Post volunteers, and with general Miriam members over many generations. Having served on the Board for the last five years, I am amazed at all of Miriam’s more recent accomplishments including: opening Miriam Academy in 2016; raising $10 million dollars for the Learning to Succeed Campaign; opening a 12,000 square foot new middle school wing and completing renovation of the Miriam School this year; establishing a $3 million dollar scholarship endowment for Miriam Academy; and the continued success of the Miriam Switching Post. Miriam can be proud of our legacy that spans over 100 years that my great-grandmother helped to found. We have always been an organization that answers unmet needs in the community and we continue to do so today through Miriam School, Miriam Academy, and Miriam Learning Center — all designed to meet the academic needs and develop social skills for students who learn differently. The Miriam Switching Post has evolved over a 60-year period with a newer central location and strong sales that raise much needed funds to support the families who rely on the services of Miriam. My promise as board president is to bridge connections and make sure that the organization that means so much to my family continues to grow and thrive. My goals include a newly renovated Miriam School filled to capacity that provides needed scholarships; celebrating the first graduating senior class from Miriam Academy in a permanent location; the continued growth of the Miriam Learning Center; and the continued success of the Miriam Switching Post. I want to thank everyone from staff and teachers, to families and alumni, along with Board members and generous donors, who all have given so unselfishly to help make Miriam the wonderful place it is today. My parents would be so proud of all we have accomplished and all that we Miriam Founder Fannie Landau with will continue to do for the children and families of Miriam. m granddaughter Margie Frank.
We Love Helping Students Who Learn Differently