William M. Maguy (1929-2001)
CONNECTION TO TULARE COUNTY AGRICULTURE: William M. Maguy dedicated his professional life to assisting farmworkers and the working poor of the San Joaquin Valley for more than three decades.
William M. Maguy was an unassuming man known for his lifelong commitment of time, energy, fortitude and vision throughout his personal and professional life. Long a champion of farmworkers and the working poor, in 1967 Mr. Maguy became the Assistant Director of the Proteus Education Program, which at the time was under the auspices of the Tulare County Community Action, which was founded by Everett Krackov. Mr. Maguy took over the leadership as Director in 1969 and the agency began exploring new ways to address the roots of poverty in Tulare County and to also provide literacy programs for poor adults. In just its first year of operation, Proteus was able to provide more than 2,000 people with English language, adult literacy and vocational training. Many local school districts joined with Proteus to provide these new educational opportunities, a tradition that continues today. Proteus expanded its services to Kings County in 1975 and in 1977 Proteus expanded farmworker job training programs into Kern and Fresno counties. Two years later Proteus opened an office in Palmdale, in northern Los Angeles County.
Believing that "true empowerment of the poor came about via self sufficiency," Mr. Maguy led Proteus through three decades of challenges, change and constant adaption with one goal in mind - to provide quality education, training, and employment to those populations most in need.
Realizing the importance of interagency cooperation, Mr. Maguy became a highly respected contributor to local and state legislation designed to foster job creation and vocational training. He was appointed by then Governor Pete Wilson to serve on California's State Job Training Coordinating Council. He also chaired the One-Stop Subcommittee which guided policy in the State of California as the national Workforce Investment Act unfolded. Better known as Bill to those most close to him, Mr. Maguy is best remembered as a champion of farmworkers and an advocate of those less fortunate.
"When my father was a young man, he took a vow to dedicate his life to God and to serve God by helping people of all kinds," Billy Maguy said, "His dedication to Proteus was synonymous with his dedication to God. Bill Maguy fulfilled his vow to God and Proteus was the instrument he used."
Proteus continues even today to live up to the vision Mr. Maguy created for this organization for Since its formation four decades ago, Proteus has proudly served special-needs populations throughout the Central San Joaquin Valley.
For more information about Proteus: www.proteusinc.org.
Mr. Maguy's "Faces" profile is sponsored by Proteus .jpg){kind=logo}
