Maggie Parks
Born in Texas, I started school in Louisiana, moved to Canada at 10, and to Oklahoma
when in middle school, where I experienced the vicious
racism of the desegregation of my school.
After receiving a BA in English, I taught seventh grade English
in an inner-city school, then became an epidemiologist. Eager for a career in my field, I pursued an MA in Journalism at the University of Oregon. After graduation I worked at an ad agency,
as a newspaper reporter, and a vet tech. An opportunity for a career in publishing took me to the West coast, a career still in process after 46 years.
I met my husband a recovering Vietnam veteran, on the beach in San Francisco brought together by our dogs and our shared passion
for justice, equality, and making a difference. We were married
nine months later and just celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary. We have two daughters, a pediatric neuropsychologist and a
speech language pathologist, and four grandchildren, ages 6, 7, 8 and 9. Life-long animal lovers, Ken and I currently have three dogs: a therapy dog; a rescue; and our pandemic puppy.
I have my own grant writing business and do my own writing. My mystery set on the Turquoise Trail and my children’s biography
of Woody Crumbo, one of the founders of the Native American art movement, have won numerous awards. As a volunteer, I wrote the grants to fund Monterey County’s first CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). I spent years tutoring in the Tijeras schools and have volunteered for many other organizations focused on children, animals, equal rights, and preserving our open spaces. I am an avid hiker, reader, swimmer, and ice skater. I am in awe of the
amazing women in SOS and of the incredible accomplishments of the group.
