Susan Fryer Ward (1935-2014)
MSA SC 3520-2670
Extended Biography:
The Honorable Susan Fryer Ward was a lifelong activist and Maryland’s first Secretary of Aging. As a social worker in Prince George’s County specializing in advocacy for elders, she transitioned from work in therapy, to serving the county, the state, and the nation. Her tenacity, loyalty, and compassion made her a greatly loved leader in her community.
Sue Ward was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1935 to Ione Pierce and E. Reeseman Fryer. Ward’s father was a superintendent of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and for a period she grew up on the local Navajo reservation.1 During her childhood, Ward witnessed the reverence paid to elders of the Navajo tribe, and it inspired her own philosophy of respecting elders; her daughter, Lucille Walker, recalled her often saying, “Because someone is older, that does not make them unnecessary, rather it makes them even more necessary, especially to our society. We need their lessons.”2 Although her family moved often because of her father’s work, the wisdom Ward learned from the Navajo people strongly inspired the work she undertook for the rest of her life.
Ward attended 15 schools before graduating from Western High School in Washington, D.C., now the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.3 As she did throughout her childhood, Ward continued traveling in college. She studied at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon from 1956 to 1957, and graduated from the College of William and Mary, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in government. Ward then attended McGill University in Montreal from 1958 to 1959, and then transferred to the University of Utah where she would earn her Masters of Social Work (M.S.W.) in 1961. After receiving her M.S.W., Ward also became a Licensed Certified Social Worker in the state of Maryland and a Board Certified Diplomate through the American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work.4
While earning her masters degree, Ward married Reverend Dr. Archibald Ward in 1959. Rev. Dr. Ward was a research sociologist, who later worked at St. Elizabeth’s Psychiatric Hospital in Washington, D.C. After marrying and receiving her M.S.W., Mrs. Ward settled in Clinton, Maryland, where she had two daughters, Lucille and Elizabeth.5 Before entering public service, Ward stayed at home to raise her children. She was not politically silent; rather, she proudly raised her children as activists by participating with them in peace, civil rights, and women’s rights marches.6 As her children got older, Ward worked as a psychiatric social worker with the Children’s Convalescent Hospital in Washington, D.C. and the National Institutes of Health. From 1970 to 1977, Ward ran a private practice as a therapist in Annapolis and Clinton. After working independently for seven years, Ward took on the first of a long line of leadership roles in public service organizations, as the executive director of the Children’s Aid Society of Charles County.7
Sue Ward was adamant about the fact that her political advocacy was alive and well ever since she had settled in Clinton; however, her political career grew in notoriety in 1978 when she ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives against Republican incumbent Marjorie Holt. Though she was dubbed a political novice, Ward had learned a lot from the behind-the-scenes work she performed as a volunteer campaign aid for other political candidates.8 Ward ran as a Democrat and knew she had little chance of winning Maryland’s 4th district, but she ran with a firm resolve based on a duty to democracy.9 Maryland’s 4th district was comprised of Anne Arundel County and a small chunk of Prince George’s County. Ward hailed from the Prince George’s County section and had little widespread name recognition throughout the district, but she worked hard to try and build up her constituency. Ward focused her attention on winning the hearts of the elderly population that she also worked with as a social worker and senior rights advocate. Ward’s anger over what she felt was Holt’s facile support of senior citizens’ rights was one of the forces that motivated her bid for the House seat, she later stated in an interview.10 Ward demonstrated a strong dedication to her constituents when she was campaigning. She reportedly plowed through the snow to attend a senior citizen’s meeting in southern Prince George’s County, and would go door to door in working class towns like Glen Burnie to canvas for her own campaign.11 12 An article in The Baltimore Sun portrayed Ward’s campaign as that which can be summed up in a rather profound bumper sticker emblazoned on her 1964 Buick: “If it is to be, it is up to me.”13 Though she did not win, Ward established herself as a strong personality in local Maryland politics and a stalwart supporter of elder’s rights.
After her run for the House, Ward went back to advocating for marginalized populations in Maryland. She briefly worked as a coordinator with the Center for the Handicapped in 1980, and, following a two year foray into the private sector, became the director of Prince George’s County’s Department of Aging in 1982.14 She would hold this position for 9 years and become well-known in her county and the state as a champion for seniors.
As director, Ward managed all of the county programs for seniors, conducted investigations and authored reports with focuses ranging from elderly neglect to social programs for seniors, and collaborated with county leadership to direct public and private resources towards a growing senior population.15 16 Ward’s work to support the seniors of Prince George’s County was crucial, as the population of the elderly in the Washington, D.C. area grew by 32 percent between 1970 and 1980 and continued to rise.17 With this steadily growing population, there also came a need for more caretakers and caretaking programs. Often children, now grown adults with many other responsibilities, become the hesitant caretakers of their parents. Not only do these reluctant caretakers lack an understanding of the complex health needs of seniors, but often these people do not have the time or the money to take care of the elderly person or people. Such frustrating and stressful circumstances creates a climate for elderly abuse and/or neglect.18 As the population of people 65 and over swiftly rose in the 1980s and 1990s, so too did reports on elderly abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Ward was one of the people spearheading efforts to understand elderly abuse in its many forms (physical, mental, financial, etc.), and was also in charge of creating resources for the elderly and their families that would prevent any such violence.
Ward was well-known in her community for her ability to creatively navigate budget crises that would often demand either a spending freeze or cutbacks.19 For example, rather than push for a whole new facility for housing the elderly, Ward suggested a day care system be created; not only was this a more cost-effective solution, it was also one that provided senior citizens with social activities and got them out of the house.
This holistic method of ensuring the well-being of seniors was something for which Ward often strove. In many instances, she was able to secure private and public funding through the Prince George’s County Council to establish programs that engaged the elderly in healthy, morale boosting activities; examples of these programs include Older Americans Service Information System (OASIS), which offered creative activities like dance, drama, and quilting, and the Job Training Act Home Repair Program (JTPA), which trained senior citizens in making simple home repairs.20 Both programs encouraged healthy, active lifestyles and autonomy. Another program involved partnerships between the Prince George’s County Public Schools and local government, which allowed students at Tall Oaks High School, an alternative, trades-based education center, to learn technical skills, so that they could make small repairs for low costs in houses of the elderly. In an interview, Ward, representing the Prince George’s County Department of Aging Services, noted, “We are strongly supportive of intergenerational activities. It’s good for the elderly and the young people.”21 In politics, many positioned different generations as if they were in a competition for resources, but programs such as these that Ward supported eased this tension and helped dispel the myth of intergenerational conflicts.22 All of these programs offered creative ways for the elderly to stay involved in their community, make social networks, and remain active. Programs like these were also crucial for increasing elders’ sense of independence. Independence is important to the elderly community, because it benefits both seniors and their caretakers. When seniors get out of the house or do their own handiwork, it allows caretakers a break and thereby decreases the level of stress in the family. The multifaceted programs that Ward helped to plan, fund, and implement ensured that seniors would enjoy good health, and were also preventative in that they stopped causes of elderly neglect and abuse before they could even occur.
Ward went from director of the Department of Aging in Prince George’s County, to director of the county's Department of Family Services from 1992 to 1995. In her time with Family Services, Ward earned the Gladys Noon Spellman Award for Excellence in Public Service, a county-wide award presented to those women in Prince George’s County’s government who have demonstrated a commitment to service and excellence.23
In her tenure with Prince George’s County, she worked closely with Parris Glendening who was, at the time, on the county council, and was later elected as the county executive. By the nature of her appointment, Ward would collaborate with Glendening and his peers on the county council to receive funding for her office and her initiatives.
When Glendening was elected as Maryland's governor in 1995, he appointed his colleague, Sue Ward, as his director of the state's Office on Aging. As director, Ward chaired the Interagency Committee on Aging Services and the Task Force on Assisted Living. With the population of seniors steadily growing, especially the population of the “old-old,” or those 85 and over, more group homes for the elderly were being created. This also meant that more regulation was needed to ensure that these assisted living facilities were abiding by quality and safety standards. Ward participated in governor’s task forces that outlined recommendations for legislative plans that would regulate assisted living facilities, and thereby ensure the health and safety of the elderly.24
Ward would remain Maryland’s Director on Aging until 1998, when Governor Glendening promoted the Office on Aging as a department in his cabinet. Ward then became Maryland’s first Secretary of Aging. As Secretary of Aging, Ward continued to chair the Interagency Committee on Aging Services, and would also chair the Task Force on Quality Care in Nursing Facilities, Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in Nursing Homes and Assisted-Living Facilities, and the Innovations in Aging Services Advisory Council. She would also join the Subcabinet for Children, Youth, and Families and the Governor’s Interagency Council on Homelessness. Ward strongly advocated for her department. She successfully prioritized the needs and values of the elderly population, and, in 2000, managed to get an $800,000 state budget increase for senior programming. Over 600 seniors celebrated this momentous occasion by bussing and carpooling to a gathering in Annapolis. The reporter covering the gathering noted Sue Ward’s witty proclamation: “Aging is not for sissies.”25
Ward also advocated for elders at the national level.Ward represented Maryland and the National Association of State Units on Aging at the U.S. Department of Justice Meeting on the Aging Population. At this meeting, she stressed the importance of elders’ self-determination and agency in the creation of programs for the elderly. She also promoted collaboration and coordination between government departments in effectively addressing elder victimization. Ward understood the nuances of elders’ lives, and knew that only an inter-agency group could successfully help elders. Demonstrating her talent for creative problem solving, and her strong understanding of the social services networks, Ward was not only a state, but a national leader in public service and policy-making for the aging population.26
Immediately after her tenure as Secretary of Aging ended, Ward became the grassroots director for the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, a membership organization that protects, preserves, promotes and ensures the financial security, health, and well being of current and future generations of maturing Americans.27 In an interview, Ward remarked, “I really felt the need to end out my working career with advocacy, because that’s where things really matter.”28 Ward traveled around the country to speak at conferences and outreach sessions. She and her team would educate attendees about the issues, advocate for the protection of senior rights and benefits, energize seniors to get active in politics, and dispel myths about the Social Security and Medicare programs.29 Ward is often pictured on the National Committee’s website and in news pieces leading demonstrations in front of Congress. Ward would hold her director position for eight years, until she was forced to retire due to health complications at the age of 76, though she wanted to work with the organization much longer.30
Ward’s lifelong commitment to the rights of elders, her excellence in public service, and her strong leadership were honored with many awards. In 2010, Sue Ward was named a Social Work Pioneer by the National Association of Social Workers. The organization writes that Ward, “was a role model for demonstrating the diversity of knowledge, skills and competencies that social workers bring to government, communities, and practice settings.”31 Ward was also named the 2010 Champion for Seniors by the United Seniors of Maryland, an event where over 500 seniors from across the state would attend to honor Ward and speak about seniors’ rights in Maryland. In 2011, Ward was also named an Influential Marylander by The Daily Record.32
One of the most important aspects of Sue Fryer Ward’s life was her ardent love for her community and the elders she served. In his recommendation for Ward, Gov. Glendening reflected on the electric presence she had in a room:
“All who knew her, but especially the seniors, loved Sue. We often visited senior centers during my time as county executive. I would “work the room”... with Sue hoping that some of that love would spill over to me. In fact, I got to the point of just saying, “I am County Executive Parris Glendening and I am with her.””33
Ward passed away in June of 2014 after complications with a stroke at the age of 78; however, her lifelong public service and dedication to elders and their families is legendary, and she is proudly honored in the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame.
Endnotes:
Donald Baker, “Holt Looks to Bigger Things in 4th District Race: Endorsement Gives Boost to Ward,” The Washington Post (1974-Current file), 28 October 1978, ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Return to text.
Mark Puente, “Sue Ward, first secretary of Md. Dept. of Aging,” The Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2014, accessed 12 June 2015, http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2014-06-29/news/bs-md-ob-sue-ward-20140629_1_elders-dept-director. Return to text.
Baker, “Holt Looks to Bigger Things in 4th District Race: Endorsement Gives Boost to Ward.” Return to text.
Sue Fryer Ward’s Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame Nomination Packet. Return to text.
Baker, “Holt Looks to Bigger Things in 4th District Race: Endorsement Gives Boost to Ward.” Return to text.
NASW Foundation, “NASW Social Work Pioneers: Sue Ward,” accessed 12 June 2015, http://www.naswfoundation.org/pioneers/w/SueWard.htm. Return to text.
Sue Fryer Ward’s Curriculum Vitae, Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame Nomination Packet. Return to text.
Baker, “Holt Looks to Bigger Things in 4th District Race: Endorsement Gives Boost to Ward.” Return to text.
Puente, “Sue Ward, first secretary of Md. Dept. of Aging.” Return to text.
Sharon Conway, “3 Democrats Vie for Holt’s Md. Seat: 3 Democrats Seek to Topple Rep. Holt in 4th District,” The Washington Post (1974-Current file), 5 September 1978, ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Return to text.
Ibid. Return to text.
Baker, “Holt Looks to Bigger Things in 4th District Race: Endorsement Gives Boost to Ward.” Return to text.
John Schidlovsky, “Mrs. Ward takes door-tapping tours into Holt country in Anne Arundel,” The Sun (1837-1989), 25 June 1978, ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Return to text.
Sue Fryer Ward’s Curriculum Vitae, Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame Nomination Packet. Return to text.
“COUNTY COUNCIL ACTIONS," The Washington Post (1974-Current file), 19 September 1985, ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Return to text.
Nomination packet. Return to text.
Gwen Ifill, “To Millions of Elderly Americans, Neglect Is Just One More Form Of Abuse,” The Washington Post (1974-Current file), 2 March 1986, ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Return to text.
Ibid. Return to text.
NASW Foundation, “NASW Social Work Pioneers: Sue Ward.” Return to text.
“COUNTY COUNCIL ACTIONS, The Washington Post (1974-Current file), 9 July 1987, ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Return to text.
Tracey Reeves, “Students Repairing Self-Esteem: Program to Help Pr. George’s Elderly,” The Washington Post (1974-Current file), 1 October 1987, ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Return to text.
NASW Foundation, “NASW Social Work Pioneers: Sue Ward.” Return to text.
“2015 Gladys Noon Spellman Public Service Award Application,” Prince George’s County Maryland Government Website, accessed 12 June 2015, http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sites/ExecutiveBranch/CommunityEngagement/WHML/gladyspublic/Pages/default.aspx. Return to text.
Governor’s Task Force on Assisted Living, Report to Governor Parris N. Glendening, November 21, 1995 (Annapolis, 1996). Return to text.
Susan Levine, “For Md. Seniors, A Show of Force,” The Washington Post (1974-Current file), 29 January 1998, ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Return to text.
U.S. Department of Justice, Our Aging Population: Promoting Empowerment, Preventing Victimization, and Implementing Coordinated Interventions, A Report on Proceedings, prepared by the Office of Justice Programs, December 2000, accessed 12 June 2015, http://ojp.gov/docs/ncj_186256.pdf. Return to text.
National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, “Mission Statement of the National Committee,” accessed 12 June 2015, http://www.ncpssm.org/AboutUs/MissionStatement. Return to text.
Sue Ward, n.t., YouTube video, 4:42, posted by “hankcole1,” 13 December 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxVM7lU2zBk. Return to text.
NASW Foundation, “NASW Social Work Pioneers: Sue Ward.” Return to text.
Puente, “Sue Ward, first secretary of Md. Dept. of Aging.” Return to text.
NASW Foundation, “NASW Social Work Pioneers: Sue Ward.” Return to text.
Maryland Women’s Heritage Center, “Special Congratulations,” Maryland Women’s Heritage Center Quarterly Newsletter 3, no. 3 (2011), http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs051/1102218983472/archive/1105072520261.html. Return to text.
Parris Glendening’s Recommendation Letter to the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame Selection Committee, Sue Fryer Ward’s Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame Nomination Packet. Return to text.
Biography written by 2015 summer intern Amelia Meman.
Return to Susan Fryer Ward's Introductory Page
|
Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!
|