Gwendolyn Samuel

Ms. Gwendolyn Samuel is a parent of two children in Meriden, CT public schools, and the Founder of three, all volunteer, community-based organizations that advocate for the educational rights of all children from birth through college graduation. These include the CT Parents Union (CTPU) ™, a membership association whereby parents, guardians and families are connected with the educational resources and support system necessary to ensure that neither race, zip-code nor socio-economic status is a predictor of their child’s success; the State of Black CT Alliance, an organization which advocates for equity and access to high-quality socioeconomic and educational opportunities for communities of color and other vulnerable populations; and the Meriden Kids Walk Safe Coalition (MKWS) – a Safe Routes to School Initiative.

A graduate of Springfield College, with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services, Ms. Samuel works tirelessly to promote effective and sustainable practices that foster the academic and social development of children while seeking to strengthen families and communities. She firmly strives to ensure that “each and every child” has access to a high quality education and equitable access to opportunity. She also firmly believes that a well informed community is a better and stronger, community.

Ms. Samuel, along with other parents and educational advocates, successfully introduced the so called “Parent Reform Trigger” law to Connecticut. The law gives parents legislative redress through School Governance Councils, allowing them to make recommendations for a school improvement model that supports turning around a systemically low-performing school.