At 101, former Head Start faculty member returns for special cause

JACKSON, Tenn. — The Washington Douglass Elementary School, established in 1952 and now known as Washington Douglass Head Start, invited the only known living original faculty member, Margaret Savage, at 101 years of age, to read for Read Across America Day.

“We do Read Across America every year on Dr. Seuss’s birthday,” said Director Dr. Jerry Woods. “In order to accommodate Mrs. Savage’s schedule, we did it a week later. So, this is hats off to books, and again hats on and hats off to books.”

The Northwest Tennessee Head Start Director, Rakaya Humphreys, tells us their initiative is to help people change lives in the community through education, partnership, and delivery of quality services in northwest Tennessee.

“It’s amazing how you can see the growth from the Fall of 2024 to the spring. Head Start is a very valuable program for our children and families in the Jackson-Madison County communities and our surrounding counties,” said Humphreys.

We asked Savage what this moment means for here to be back at such a familiar place she calls home.

“It means a lot,” Savage said. “It glorious, it’s fantastic, it’s everlasting.”

Washington Douglass Elementary was named after Booker T. Washington and Frederick Douglass. Savage taught for 40 years from the time it initially opened in 1952 until 1992, when the first Head Start classes began at Washington-Douglass.

“I always wanted to be a teacher when I was a little girl,” added Savage.

“Mrs. Savage was one of the best teachers on that staff, and I will say this: at [101], if the chance came, you know she could probably go back today,” said former principal Gleen Vaulx.

Savage tells us the secret to longevity.

“Honor thy father and mother that the days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee and I did that,” Savage said.

Savage still wakes up early in the morning, keeps up with the news, and eats plenty of greens.

Her contributions attest to her passion for the advancement of youth in the community, and she’s still finding a way to make a difference.

Read Across America Day’s primary goal is to spark a love for reading in children and young adults, encouraging them to pick up books and explore the joy of reading.

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