AlumnaeAwards
CRYSTAL JONES LUCKY ’82
MARGARETTA WALTON ’97
Alumnae Award for Lifetime Achievement
The Baldwin School Alumnae Award
The Alumnae Award for Lifetime Achievement was established in 1991. It is given to an alumna who has either demonstrated a lifelong dedication and commitment to helping empower those who have struggled with challenges and societal barriers, or who has had a significant impact on an institution or community. Dr. Crystal Jones Lucky ’82 has been a professor at Villanova University since 1996 where she teaches a variety of courses in 19th and 20th century African American literature. From 20052015, Crystal served as the director of the university’s Africana Studies program. Her research interests focus on the narrative and cultural productions of black women writers. She has published several works exploring the literature and experience of African Americans, the most recent of which is a critical edition of the autobiography of the Rev. Charlotte Riley. She is currently working on a book that traces the image of the pious black woman in American culture. Crystal’s intellectual interests stem from her personal and religious life. She is the Pastor of Sword of the Spirit Church and has served in the Lansdowne community for nearly 25 years. Her work at both the university and in the church allows her to care for the intellectual, spiritual and social well-being of all those with whom she is privileged to encounter. Crystal’s love of learning and dedication to hard work began in her Baldwin days and she is a current member of the National Board of Advisors. In her speech, Crystal noted, “There are at least two things Baldwin gave me and that I have carried throughout my life: a sense of community and compassion. Those principles have guided many of my choices. I learned here at Baldwin that my voice mattered and that I could use it to help someone else have a richer, blessed existence. The compassion I show to others will make a direct difference in their lives. The compassion you show to others will change the world.” Crystal graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a double major in English and Communications in just three years and went on to earn a master’s in African American Studies at Yale University. In 1990, while living and teaching in Germany, she received her call to preach the gospel and was later ordained in the Church of the Living God International, Inc. in 1995. Finally, she received her Ph.D. in English from the University of Pennsylvania in 1999. 26
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The Alumnae Award was established in 1967 to honor Rosamond Cross on her 25th anniversary as Head of School. It is given annually to an alumna who has distinguished herself in her field of endeavor and whose life reflects a dedication to the principles of The Baldwin School. Margaretta Walton ’97 was an active member of the B-Flats and Maskers. She graduated from Skidmore College with a B.A. in Global Environmental Resource Management and did her Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Entrepreneurship at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Margaretta has worked at SEI for 13 years, and spent the last six years as the Marketing and PR Manager for the Investment Manager Services division. Additionally, Margaretta is focused on her own entrepreneurial venture as co-owner of Forever Stone, the area’s leading recycled granite and stone distributor. Forever Stone produces solid stone products such as fire pits and pavers from 100% reclaimed and recycled granite, marble and stone. During her remarks, Margaretta offered some advice to the Upper School students in attendance. “I know what Baldwin women are capable of. I’ve seen it here at school and out across the world,” she said. “No matter what you do, when you’ve made strides forward or even achieved your goals, in your personal life, careers or the organizations and institutions I encourage you to support with your time and efforts, turn around and hold out a hand to another woman – a classmate, a friend, a coworker – coming up behind you. A rising tide lifts all boats, and we’ve been given a wonderful gift in our education. When one of us does better we all do better. We can all help each other do better and achieve more in life, in the world, if we support each other.” Margaretta has been an active member of the Baldwin alumnae community since graduation. She has served on the Alumnae Association Executive Board (AAEB) for almost 10 years. During that time she was co-chair and chair of the Awards Committee, on the reunion planning committee and she spent three years as the AAEB President. Margaretta also was the co-chair of Baldwin’s 125th Anniversary Celebration. She served on the Board of Trustees for three years, on the Board of Trustees finance subcommittee for five years and chaired the audit committee for three years.
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Award winners Dr. Mira Sachdeva ’97, Dr. Crystal Jones Lucky ’82, Margaretta Walton ’97 and Nancy-Beth Gordon Sheerr ’67 pose after the ceremony with Head of School Dr. Marisa Porges.