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It is important to take a look at the woman who stood behind this entity, whose personal values and love of humankind made helping others – before and after her death – a natural thing to do.

A Social Worker by training, and daughter of Atty. & Mrs. Walter Briggs, Margaret was educated in the Scranton School system and went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree from Columbia University in New York City.

After graduation, she was employed in New York City by the Presbyterian Medical Center, but then returned to her native area of Scranton to work for Family Services of Lackawanna County, where after many years of service, she retired and became a long-time board member and past president.

Margaret Briggs’ love and devotion to her community were exceptional. Her many years of volunteering and community service included seats on the Board of Keystone Junior College, Lackawanna County Historical Society, Everhart Museum, Pennsylvania Citizens Association and the Waverly Country Club. She was also a member and past president of The Century Club of Scranton and an elder of the Covenant Presbyterian Church as well as past president of its Women’s Association.

Comments from those who knew her best confirm that philanthropy was at the heart of all she did, to the extent that concern about her community became as one colleague stated, “Her singular purpose for living” during her later years of life.

A review of programs funded by the Margaret Briggs Foundation over the years reveals the commitment of the Board of Trustees, all community advocates in their own right, to not only carry on her desire to touch the lives of the underserved, the disabled, the elderly, the youth – in essence, all humankind – but also to give inspiration to new ideas that will keep the community vibrant and progressive.