Coming from a Christian home, Margaret Munday grew up hearing that “God has a plan for you” (Jeremiah 29:11) and “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path” (Proverbs 3:6). These verses encouraged her to pray diligently and continue her journey during difficult times of trials and tribulations in her life because she knew that God would not forget her nor leave her. Instead, His presence and grace enabled her to continue to lean on Him for guidance to move forward.
In her own words, her following brief account of ‘A PATH TO THE TRAIL’ talks about her journey:
In her own words...
“A Path to the Trail”
I guess I have a firm place in local history. The trail that I blazed makes me proud, knowing that my greatest legacy can be found in the hundreds of students I taught in music classes in Logan County Schools over a 35-year career, after my 1960 graduation from Western Kentucky University.
I grew up in a house along a creek, raised by my family that prized education. My mother, who was a teacher, graduated from West Kentucky Vocational School in Paducah, Kentucky. My father worked at a leather tannery where many of our neighbors worked.
Segregation, however, marked my formative years in education, as I attended the one-room Auburn Training School for black students through sixth grade, was bused to Adairville for seventh and eighth grade years, and graduated from Knob City High School, Russellville. Resources were not as abundant at Knob City as they were at white schools, but I excelled, developing interests in biology, geography, and chorale music, graduating at the top of my class.
I initially had an interest in nursing, but I ended up studying music at the present-day Kentucky State University, in Frankfort. College life was going well for me, but the rest of my family, back in Logan County, noticed my absence, and I wanted to be closer to home. My younger brother told me how Mom cried every time I left after a holiday or break at home. I didn’t let her know I was aware of it.
I read one Sunday afternoon in the Park City paper that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case of 1954 overturned state sponsored segregation, and with a two-paragraph statement from then WKU president, Kelly Thompson, in 1956, the University announced it would accept black students beginning with summer school that year. Talking things over with my parents, I decided to enroll.
That fall, however, I would be the only black undergraduate enrolled. I must admit I was in unchartered waters, but I wouldn’t change anything... my studying at WKU and my achievements. I give God the glory, which is a favorite song of mine.
This is only a brief write-up of my journey getting an education and helping others.
-Margaret Munday
Words from her pastor also show how she adjusts to change and never waivers from her Trust in God as she continues her journey..
From the Pastor...
Hello! My name is Terrence Duncan, and I have had the precious, priceless privilege of pastoring the Macedonia Baptist Church in Auburn, Kentucky, for the past 10 years. An added blessing is that I have the honor of pastoring Sister Margaret Munday! Truly, she is a living icon, not only in the church, but also in the community and surrounding areas. Along with her blessing MBC with her musical ministry and her in-depth knowledge of the word of God, she is also a great supporter of the ministries of Macedonia, and a friend to all. Sister Margaret Munday has truly been a blessing to my ministry, and an inspiration in my life!
Don't forget to visit the Logan County Public Library to meet MISS MUNDAY as you view her legendary display!!
Written by Margaret Munday and Katherine Hart