Dear METCO family and supporters,

All of us in the METCO family are shocked and saddened that longtime Boston community activist and former METCO Executive Director Jean McGuire – now 91 years old - was attacked while walking her dog in Franklin Park last evening. 

She is stable and recovering at the hospital. We will keep you informed of any developments. We have received an outpouring of love and concern over Jean's health following this attack, and our hearts and prayers join all of yours for a quick recovery and support for her and her family.

Could her attacker have known that this fierce 91-year-old woman embodies the heart of commitment and initiative that made it possible for tens of thousands of children from Boston’s Black and brown neighborhoods to have access to high-quality education and move on to better lives? Could that person have known that she dedicated her life to working for our community’s children, and all the people who struggle every day to gain access to the escalator of economic opportunity?

Education is Jean McGuire’s reason for being! She lives and breathes to provide every child with the opportunity for the best education possible.

Jean served as METCO's Executive Director from 1973 to 2016, heading this historic program as it became an institution in 33 Boston suburbs. Year after year, Jean ensured that tens of thousands of Boston children were welcomed and included at the highest quality schools in our nation, while enriching their mostly white communities with the diversity and relationships to break down prejudice and prepare for a global society.

Jean is a living legend. She was the first African-American woman elected to the Boston School Committee in 1981. She was interviewed in the award-winning documentary “Eyes on the Prize.” At METCO, she never wavered in her commitment to providing generations of children with mentorship, encouragement, and pride.

We at METCO deplore this attack. Every one of us, in every METCO school and in all of Boston’s neighborhoods, are praying for Jean’s swift and complete recovery.

If you would like to let Jean know what she meant to you and to wish her well, please send cards to METCO, Inc., 11 Roxbury Street, Roxbury, MA, 02119, and we will be sure she receives them.

With sincerity and love,

Milly Arbaje-Thomas

President & CEO

METCO HQ