Susan Mathews Named 2020 Novato Citizen Of The Year

Novato CA

26 January, 2021

3:29 PM

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NOVATO, CA — If you live in Novato and believe that public school ought to be more than reading, writing, and arithmetic, you've probably heard of the nonprofit School Fuel. During tough economic times for schools over the past 17 years, the fundraising efforts of School Fuel have prevented the elimination of programs that help assure a well-rounded education–subjects like music, theater, visual arts, computer-based graphic arts, plus library services. You know, the stuff that makes school fun. Susan Mathews has been the executive director of the organization since she co-founded it in2003. Clarifying, she's been the volunteer executive director since 2008, donating thousands ofhours each year for the benefit of local kids. School Fuel has raised and distributed roughly $3.5million to Novato public schools since its inception, largely supporting programs that might'vebeen eliminated during tight budget years. That is just one reason why Mathews, a Novato resident since 1999, was chosen recently as the2020 Novato Citizen of the Year. She was announced as the recipient during the Novato CityBirthday Party show aired January 22 on Novato Community Television and the Paint the TownRed YouTube channel. She was notified of the honor with a knock on the door (more on thatlater). "It means a lot to me to see my name along with all the other people who were such exemplarywinners of this award," Mathews said. "It's incredibly humbling and gratifying looking at thecompany I'm keeping now. It's not an honor I ever expected, and it just makes me feel warm." In addition to School Fuel efforts, those nominating Mathews for the honor cited herinvolvement in countless other community-building programs. They include the countywideSchools Rule-Marin (she's a founder of that as well), the Marin Promise Partnership, the PTAs ofsix Novato schools, the North Marin Council of PTAs, Marin School of the Arts, and the NovatoUnified School District. She has also been a passionate contributor at her church, on the MarinIndependent Journal's editorial board, and a staunch supporter of local businesses. Mathews' dedication has made an impression on the 2019 Citizen of the Year, Dale Kline. Hehas worked alongside Mathews for years on School Fuel efforts and the annual Tour of Novatofamily bicycling fundraiser. The tour, held each May, eclipsed $1 million in cumulativecontributions in 2019. "She's one of the most selfless people I've met in my life," Kline said. "It's never about her,which is why she doesn't get recognized very much. She pushes others out front and she is therock behind them. All these years, she has been executive director of School Fuel and has notbeen paid. She has put in thousands of hours, not hundreds but thousands." The 2009 Citizen of the Year, Elizabeth Sleath, also worked with Mathews since the beginning ofSchool Fuel. Sleath said during the pandemic, Mathews was determined not to miss an annualbook giveaway to the public school students of Novato. She sorted them, breaking them downby age appropriateness, and blotted out inappropriate markings before leading the weeklydistribution effort. Between 10,000 and 15,000 books have been passed out during free lunchpickups so far during the pandemic. "That's one of her pet projects, and it's obvious that she loves it," Sleath said. "The kids gettheir lunch and a bag of books, too. It's just lovely." Mathews said it's her favorite part of the week. "When I'm giving books away on Thursdays, Iget to see the kids' excitement, and it's just the best thing in the world." "Twenty years ago," Kline said, "we used to joke about the 80-20 rule, meaning just 20% of theparents volunteering for helping out in the schools. In today's world it's more like 95-5, but ofthe 5% still doing that work, Susan's in the top 1%. She is passionate and has never lost sight ofthe educational side of what we do. She's always setting the bar high and encouraging thechildren." Maybe it's not surprise; Mathews is from a family of educators on both parents' sides. She grewup in North Carolina, Michigan and Ohio, all places where her father found jobs as collegeprofessor and administrator. Her dad was the son of tenant farmers in Appalachia, and his driveto become the first college-educated person in his family sparked Susan. She earned a degree in political science from "THEE" Ohio State University (Phi Beta Kappa andsumma cum laude, which means she was an academic rock star) and followed with a degreefrom Yale Law School. During her time in New Haven, Mathews was editor of the Yale LawJournal, a club that includes the likes of several Supreme Court justices, U.S. senators, anddeans of law schools all over the country. Education meant so much to her that she married anOhio State valedictorian, attorney Christopher Gilkerson. Mathews worked as an attorney in Washington D.C. and joined a San Francisco law firm whenthe family moved west. She became the mother to Lindsay, Aidan, and Gavin, and started hervolunteering efforts on the Olive School PTA. She became so involved that she bid farewell toher 15-year career in international trade law. "She just loves kids," Sleath said. "When you talk to her on a committee or anything like that,you realize that she's always well prepared and has read all the background material. It'sbecause it's just in her character to be that dedicated for this cause. I don't know anybody quitelike her, frankly. She's an extraordinary lady, and what's especially lovely is that she's somodest. Her kids all graduated and are no longer in the public schools, but she's still doing this." "There is always a need for community members and parents who care about education to findout more about what's going on, not just at their own schools but how it all comes together,"Mathews said about her early days with School Fuel. "I remember how exciting it was to seewhat's similar and what's different about how things are handled at the school campuses. Iwanted to learn more about it." Her friend Jennifer Shephard, now children's book author Jennifer Gennari, first recruitedMathews to join a group that grew to become the Novato Foundation for Public Education, theformal name of School Fuel. Before then, there was no group speaking on behalf of all kids inNovato equally, just PTAs working independently. "They were looking for an attorney to help them get recognized and organized as a nonprofit,and I took it on as pro bono work through my law firm," Mathews said. There were a lot of skeptics in the beginning who believed School Fuel was a flash in the pan.Either it wouldn't work or it wouldn't last. Yet every year, it gained more steam. Theorganization created the successful Tour of Novato and established partnerships with publicand private entities, including the Paint the Town Red Committee. Once SchoolsRule-Marin wascreated (with Mathews as a co-founder) and it began raising funds for all public schoolscountywide, Novato schools reaped the benefits of those out-of-town campaigns as well.School Fuel has received nearly $1 million from SchoolsRule-Marin to date. Kris Cosca, Superintendent of the Novato Unified School District, said the contributions ofSchool Fuel and Mathews personally have never meant more to local families than during thecoronavirus pandemic. "They have not missed a beat," he said. "They have demonstrated themselves to be creative,thoughtful, and nimble partners who have continued to do all they can to meet NUSD's growingneeds. In my experience this only happens through strong leadership and character, both ofwhich Susan has in spades." Longtime NUSD Board of Trustees member Debbie Butler added, "No matter what Susan isworking on, she always has a positive attitude, smart solutions, and a collaborative approach. …She is a true believer that partnerships among schools, families, and businesses are strongertogether and make a vibrant community." Mathews' drive is easily summed up. "Education is really your ticket to a better life … that'swhat was impressed upon me as a kid," she said. "Having an outstanding school system is keyto a vibrant community, and it doesn't happen on its own. We have great support fromdedicated teachers and staff, but it takes the whole community to thrive." — Story written and submitted for publication by Brent Ainsworth.