Margaret Skinner

Neil D. Breslin

May 13, 2014

Margaret Skinner

Award: HONORING WOMEN IN NEW YORK

Year: 2014

Margaret Skinner is a very talented, compassionate and dedicated member of the Albany community. She is currently the President of the Board of the Food Pantries for the Capital District, after having served in various capacities for the past several years. The Food Pantries for the Capital District supports our local food pantries by funding, purchasing and delivering food to the neighborhood pantries. They also provide a forum for networking, coordination of services, education and training for pantry staff and volunteers from different communities.

Ms. Skinner is currently the Treasurer of the League of Women Voters of Albany County as well. She has been involved with the League for more than 40 years, having served two terms as the President of the Board. In addition, Ms. Skinner currently volunteers for the Residents Encounter Christ program at the Coxsackie Correctional Facility and the food pantry at St. Vincent’s Church in Albany.

Ms. Skinner’s dedication has deep roots. When her children were students at School 19, she worked with others to establish the first parent volunteer program at the school. Also, under the direction of the Legal Aid Society, she served as a Lay Advocate, helping welfare recipients obtain their benefits. Always willing to lend a helping hand, Ms. Skinner was on the original Board of Directors of Support Ministries, which opened a home in 1987 for people living with AIDS. Ms. Skinner has also served on the Board of Senior Services of Albany, and the Next Step – a safe and nurturing place for women to recover from addiction.

A tireless community advocate, she has been involved in neighborhood-based organizations for more than 40 years and was President of the Pine Hills Neighborhood Association, the Council of Albany Neighborhood Associations and the Neighborhood Resource Center.

Ms. Skinner was born in New Haven, Connecticut. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, and went on to earn her Master of Science degree in Accounting from the University at Albany.