Where are they now?

Since retiring from Holy Cross, Ogretta McNeil has found her cause in public service. 

By Pamela Reponen

On Wednesday, Nov. 3, Ogretta V. McNeil stood on the corner of Salisbury Street and Park Avenue greeting early morning commuters with a large sign that read, "Thank You, Worcester Voters!" Re-elected the day before to a second two-year term on the Worcester School Committee, she wanted to express her gratitude to the city residents who supported her candidacy. 

One of eight contenders vying for the six seats on the committee, McNeil faced opposition from four other incumbents and three newcomers. Election results showed that four incumbents had retained their seats, including McNeil, who received 11,291 votes. The victory marked the culmination of months of hard work, vigorous campaigning and debate of the issues.

McNeil's interest in politics developed in 1997. Retiring that year from Holy Cross after teaching for 27 years in the psychology department, she plunged into politics, winning a seat on the Worcester School Committee in her first bid for public office. 

When asked why she decided to enter politics, McNeil says, "People have been coming to me for a long time, asking me to run for public office, and I have always said 'no.' I really wasn't interested." In 1997, however, when members of the Worcester community approached her about running for school committee, she accepted the challenge. "In my life," she explains, "opportunities have come, doors have opened, and I have said, 'Oh, I'll go and see what it's like inside.' And that's exactly what happened here. A door opened and I walked in."  

Describing her decision to enter politics as a "wonderful transition" following the demands of a hectic and fulfilling teaching career, she says, "It wasn't as if there were reasons not to. I'm not working any more, and here is this opportunity to advocate for students, help teachers and give back to my community through public service." In undertaking this responsibility, however, McNeil notes that she does not have the free time associated with retirement: "I'm really busy all the time and it's great." 

Committed to continuing her service to public education, she decided to seek a second term. During the last weeks before the election, McNeil campaigned vigorously in an ongoing effort to bring her concerns about education before the voters and solicit their support. McNeil notes that campaigning has given her a deep appreciation for the political process. "It takes a lot to run for public life," she says. "You really put yourself out front-It's a very vulnerable position to be in."  

McNeil speaks passionately about her role on the school committee and her concerns for the future of public education. Dressed in yellow and black, the signature colors of her campaign, she zeroes in on the pressing issues of the election: ensuring achievement for all students; obtaining adequate aid to fund existing programs; involving parents in the education process; and making professional development opportunities available for staff. Providing a safe and nurturing environment for teaching and learning is also a top concern. 

McNeil feels that serving on the school committee gives her the opportunity to shape and implement educational policy. Noting her experience as a member of the board of trustees of the University of Massachusetts for the five campuses and her work as an advisor for students of color at Holy Cross, she feels she has a firsthand understanding of the challenges students face. Committed to ensuring the academic achievement of all students, she supports the development of education programs that meet the individual needs of each child. "That is what has been exciting about serving on the Worcester School Committee," she says.  

On Wednesday, Nov. 3, Ogretta V. McNeil stood on the corner of Salisbury Street and Park Avenue greeting early morning commuters with a large sign that read, "Thank You, Worcester Voters!" Re-elected the day before to a second two-year term on the Worcester School Committee, she wanted to express her gratitude to the city residents who supported her candidacy. 

One of eight contenders vying for the six seats on the committee, McNeil faced opposition from four other incumbents and three newcomers. Election results showed that four incumbents had retained their seats, including McNeil, who received 11,291 votes. The victory marked the culmination of months of hard work, vigorous campaigning and debate of the issues.  

McNeil's interest in politics developed in 1997. Retiring that year from Holy Cross after teaching for 27 years in the psychology department, she plunged into politics, winning a seat on the Worcester School Committee in her first bid for public office. 

When asked why she decided to enter politics, McNeil says, "People have been coming to me for a long time, asking me to run for public office, and I have always said 'no.' I really wasn't interested." In 1997, however, when members of the Worcester community approached her about running for school committee, she accepted the challenge. "In my life," she explains, "opportunities have come, doors have opened, and I have said, 'Oh, I'll go and see what it's like inside.' And that's exactly what happened here. A door opened and I walked in."  

Describing her decision to enter politics as a "wonderful transition" following the demands of a hectic and fulfilling teaching career, she says, "It wasn't as if there were reasons not to. I'm not working any more, and here is this opportunity to advocate for students, help teachers and give back to my community through public service." In undertaking this responsibility, however, McNeil notes that she does not have the free time associated with retirement: "I'm really busy all the time and it's great." 

Committed to continuing her service to public education, she decided to seek a second term. During the last weeks before the election, McNeil campaigned vigorously in an ongoing effort to bring her concerns about education before the voters and solicit their support. McNeil notes that campaigning has given her a deep appreciation for the political process. "It takes a lot to run for public life," she says. "You really put yourself out front-It's a very vulnerable position to be in."  

McNeil speaks passionately about her role on the school committee and her concerns for the future of public education. Dressed in yellow and black, the signature colors of her campaign, she zeroes in on the pressing issues of the election: ensuring achievement for all students; obtaining adequate aid to fund existing programs; involving parents in the education process; and making professional development opportunities available for staff. Providing a safe and nurturing environment for teaching and learning is also a top concern. 

McNeil feels that serving on the school committee gives her the opportunity to shape and implement educational policy. Noting her experience as a member of the board of trustees of the University of Massachusetts for the five campuses and her work as an advisor for students of color at Holy Cross, she feels she has a firsthand understanding of the challenges students face. Committed to ensuring the academic achievement of all students, she supports the development of education programs that meet the individual needs of each child. "That is what has been exciting about serving on the Worcester School Committee," she says.