African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Buffalo (N.Y.). Board of Education]]> Education--New York (State)--Buffalo.]]>
For thirty-four years Mrs. Henderson worked as a Prevention Specialist for the Buffalo Board of Education. While in this capacity, she was a curriculum member responsible for drug and sex education; certified HIV/AIDS instructor; coordinator of the New York State Pilot Drug Program; committee member for teacher candidate interviews; curriculum resource facilitator; and health education teacher. Her professional memberships included the Student Assistance Personnel (SAP) program, Buffalo Teachers Federation, New York State Education Association, National Education Association, Student Assistance Professionals Organization, and the Retired Teachers Organization. Mrs. Henderson retired from her position with the Board of Education in 1999.

An active member of the New Hope Baptist Church, Mrs. Henderson serves as Secretary on both the Board of Christian Education and Budget Committee. She also chaired numerous church events including the 20th Pastoral Anniversary and Retirement; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemorative Breakfast; Graduate Recognition Banquet, Homecoming Celebration, Scholarship Committee; and Youth Enrichment Program.

Mrs. Henderson has been a very active member of The Links, Incorporated for nearly thirty years. She has served the organization on the local, regional, and national levels. She is a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. where she currently serves as the Great Lakes Region Program Chair. In addition, Mrs. Henderson is an active member in several civic organizations. These include H&G Family Club (past President), Nardin Academy Parent's Council (past President), American Lung Association of Western New York (Board Director), New York State Lung Association (Board Director-at-large), Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society (Board Director), Afro-American Historical Society, NAACP ACT-SO, Buffalo Urban League, and American Association of University Women.

Mrs. Henderson has been the recipient of numerous awards in recognition of her service to the community: Buffalo Ambassador (2000); Network of Religious Communities, Outstanding Ecumenical Service (2000); Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Phi Omega Chapter, Service Award (1999); Award of Excellence, Black Achievers in Industry (1998), 1490 Jefferson Enterprises; Buffalo Board of Education award, Services to Youth (1998); Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Service Appreciation Award, Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter (1998); National Council of Negro Women, National Community Leader of the Year (1997); New York Council of Negro Women, New York State Community Leader of the Year (1997); Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Helping Somebody Award (1997); Citizens Committee on Rape, Sexual Assault, Sexual Abuse, Excellence in Leadership Award (1996); Police Community Services, D.A.R.E. Award (1996); Who's Who Among American Educators (1996); Buffalo Teachers Federation, Outstanding Dedication and Commitment Award (1995); American Lung Association of Western New York (1994); Buffalo Ambassador (1991); Outstanding Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Soror (1984); and Outstanding Young Women of America (1973).

Mrs. Henderson is married to Dr. Leon Henderson, Director of Personnel (Retired), Buffalo Board of Education. They have three children, Celia F. Settles, Leon Henderson, Jr., and Tanya E. Henderson, and four grandchildren.]]> Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research & Education on Women, Inc.]]> Blanc Photographie (videographer)]]> Blanc, Yves-Richard]]> eng]]> African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Great Migration, ca. 1914-ca. 1970]]> Education--New York (State)--Buffalo.]]> Buffalo (N.Y.). Board of Education]]>
She has earned several degrees including a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication, University at Buffalo; Certificate of Completion, Orton-Gillingham Method for Reading from the Gow School in South Wales, N.Y; Master of Science in Exceptional Education, from Buffalo State College; Master of Science, Reading, Canisius College; and completed her certification in School District Administration from Canisius College.

She was a special education teacher and reading teacher at Community School #53 in Buffalo. Prior to her experiences at School #53, Mary Ruth was a reading teacher for grades pre-kindergarten through six at Broadway Village Elementary # 57 where she conducted assessments and evaluations while teaching the Orton-Gillingham method of teaching reading. In September of 2002, she worked as Adjunct Professor in Reading at Medaille College. Mrs. Kapsiak was appointed as Assistant Principal of Stanton Academy #31. In 2004, she was appointed Assistant Principal at Dr. Lydia T. Wright School of Excellence # 89. She ended her career with the Buffalo Public Schools as Supervisor of Elementary Education in 2006.

On May 1, 2007, Mary Ruth was elected to the Buffalo School Board as Central District Representative. On July 2, 2007, she was sworn in as Central District Representative, and on the same day was elected President of the Buffalo School Board where she served as President from 2007-2009. She stepped down as President and became Vice President of Executive Affairs July 2009 and served in that position until July 2010. Mary Ruth was re-elected to the Board of Education on May 1, 2010 and served as Vice President of Student Achievement and as of May 2011 she became President of the Board. She served on the Board of Directors for the Erie County Association of School Boards for three years and was a representative on the Council of Great City Schools from 2007-2009, a member of The Council of Urban Boards of Education Diversity Committee. Area 1 Director of The New York State Caucus of Black School Board Members 2013-2016,

Her professional associations include the following: Good Schools for All Advisory Board; Life Membership in the N.A.A.C.P, and served on the Executive Committee of the N.A.A.C.P., Membership in Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society; Vice President of the Metro Buffalo Alliance of Black School Educators; Member of The National Association of Black School Educators; Phi Delta Kappa Professional Organization; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter(Silver Star) and Life Member where she served as Vice President ,and President and has chaired several committees in the chapter; Member of the Erie County (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated; She serves on The Board of Directors, Teach for America; The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Diversity Council Committee, Served on the Board Directors of the Character Council of Western New York, and was elevated as an Ambassador to the Character Council; serves on the Ethics Committee for The Board of Education, Advisory board for McKinney Vento (Homeless School Children, and The Special Education Advisory Council as S.A.G.E. Advisor.

Mrs. Kapsiak is a proud member of the International F.& A.M. Masons & Order of Eastern Star, Incorporated, White Rose District Grand Chapter #9 of Niagara Falls, New York of Anointed Star Chapter #442. She recently contributed to Letters to Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, Her past affiliates include Board of Directors B.U.I.L.D. of BUFFALO, Incorporated, Buffalo Leadership Council, Board of Directors Women for Human Rights and Dignity, Board of Directors, and Advisory Council of the Buffalo Urban League, Delta Kappa Gamma International Society, a member of the following Alumni: University at Buffalo Alumni Association, Canisius College Alumni, and State University College of New York at Buffalo Alumni Association.]]> Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research & Education on Women, Inc.]]> Blanc, Yves-Richard]]> Blanc Photographie (videographer)]]> eng]]>