Macon Magazine

Myrtle Habersham Myrtle S. Habersham, founder of M.S. Habersham Consulting Services LLC, has contributed community, civic and leadership service to Macon for more than three decades. "I have known Myrtle for many years, and she has consistently been involved in helping others," said Gloria Gibson, a community volunteer for AARP. "I would describe her as an organizer, convener, coalition builder and people person. She is very skillful in working to identify what her community needs, find the resources and agencies to fill that need, and then take proactive steps to get the people and resources and groups together." Habersham has served as a senior executive with the Social Security Administration, Health and Human Services and Federal Housing Finance Agency while also advocating for public policy initiatives at the local, state and national levels. "I love people and have always been energized by working, staying busy, engaged, helping others ... doing fun and meaningful volunteer and work things," said Habersham. Although she retired from the federal government in 2010, Habersham's passion for doing good has not stopped. She said she has limited her client base at her consulting firm so that she has time to serve on nine boards and councils dedicated to uplifting Macon, particularly residents over 50. "My volunteer work is centered around providing leadership, suggestions and making connections so that our residents – especially age 50 plus and their family members – stay informed, have access to programs and services, and knowledge about which agency to contact for future information," said Habersham. The COVID-19 pandemic has created financial, health, civic and education challenges for the community. But it has also highlighted the social issues that have been ongoing for years prior; notably, food insecurity, childcare, transportation and social isolation. Habersham's commitment to service and connections to organizations based in community, faith, education, business and government have made a tremendously positive impact in Macon in the midst of the pandemic. She currently serves on the United Way of Central Georgia and the Community Foundation of Central Georgia's COVID-19 Steering Committee, whose role is to connect local residents and organizations with "grassroots information on community needs, help seek solutions and make connections to help resolve the problems," Myrtle said. "I continue to return to the lifetime practice and principles of my basic upbringing," Habersham said, "which is to do what I can, when I can, as best I can to make a positive difference." —Ivy Marie Clarke MAGGIE VERNER Like many PRN nurses, Maggie Verner – a PRN nurse in labor and delivery – was furloughed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "I felt somewhat helpless, being at home and not working," Verner said. "I wanted to do something for the community." Even though she couldn't work, Verner still wanted to support her fellow healthcare workers in some way, and so she turned to social media. She created a Facebook group called "Helping Healthcare Heroes of Middle Georgia" and it became an instant hit. With about 300 members, the group has been able to accomplish much in a short time. Verner started the group with the intention of creating goody bags to hand out on Easter for the frontline staff at three Middle Georgia hospitals. Her vision became reality when she personally delivered more than 400 Easter baskets, each of which contained a personal letter from a community member, thanking the medical personnel for their good work. But Verner's determination didn't end there. She continued to solicit donations to purchase meals from locally owned restaurants in an attempt to help the local economy while showing support to hospital staff. She's also coordinated a "parking lot thank-you" at Coliseum Medical Centers, and invited the community to come show their support for hospital staff. "I've been overwhelmed by the support and generosity I've seen through this group," Verner said. "They're willing to invest in the community, and they trust me to be a good steward of their contributions." Nursing is a calling – one that requires compassion, empathy and a genuine desire to help others, said Robin Parker, vice president of marketing for Coliseum Health Systems. "Even while Maggie isn't working, she's continued to help others because she's a nurse – and helping others is what nurses do," Parker said. —Lisa Pritchard Mayfield 10

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