Mary Ignatius
Mary Ignatius is the Executive Director of Parent Voices California, which activates and centers the wisdom of parents to transform child care and ensure all systems that impact our families are just, fair, and inclusive. Since August 2005, she coordinates the work of its chapters and implements the leadership development model Parent Voices has crafted for over 25 years. Under her tenure, Parent Voices has won the most progressive child care eligibility policies in the nation, restored a child care program that was eliminated, and protected child care subsidies for thousands of families.
 Born and raised in the Bay Area by Indian immigrants and as a mother of 2 budding feminist sons, Mary’s commitment to social and economic justice is both personal and political. She holds a Master of Social Work in Administration and Social Planning from Temple University and a Bachelor of Social Work from Rutgers University. She is a recipient of the Ms. Foundation for Women’s prestigious Woman of Vision Award. Mary served as a Community Commissioner on the Assembly’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Care and Education and was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom for three years to serve as the Co-Chair of the Parent Advisory Committee to the state’s Early Childhood Policy Council.
Her previous experience includes work with the Kensington Welfare Rights Union, Community Legal Services in Philadelphia, Instructor- City College of San Francisco, and Project SURVIVE. Mary loves to travel and is inspired by the curiosity and wonder that her sons bring to this world.
Social Media handles: @ParentVoicesCA FB:https://www.facebook.com/CAParentVoices IG:parentvoicesca; personal: @MamaMarySF for twitter and IG
