Biographical Note

Garnet Wallace came to Buffalo to become the Superintendent of the Buffalo Friendship Home in 1947. A graduate of Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio, she began her career working with youngsters at the Dunbar Nursery School in Syracuse, New York. After leaving Dunbar, she took a position at the Albion Training School for developmentally delayed youngsters. This was during World War II and that position terminated when the former teacher returned from service and reclaimed her position. The loss of this job prompted her move to Buffalo.

Following positions at the Buffalo Psychiatric Center and the Western Reformatory in Albion, New York, Ms. Wallace accepted a position as an institutional parole officer with New York State in 1965. She progressed within the department, being promoted to field parole officer, senior parole officer, and ultimately was selected as the first female to supervise males in the Buffalo area. Eventually, she supervised parole officers in New York City, Manhattan, and North Territory. She retired in 1979 after thirty-two years of service in New York State.

Several groups have honored her for volunteerism and community activism including the Sojourner Truth Award from the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. and the Dr. M. Joan Cousin Humanitarian Award from the Ministers Wives, New York Conference Branch.

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