Foundation Head Honored by Child Welfare Leaders

The Black Administrators in Child Welfare recently honored Maxine B. Baker, president and CEO, Freddie Mac Foundation, for her work on behalf of children and families, during its first "Champions for Children Gala."

Established in 1971, the Black Administrators in Child Welfare (BACW) is a nationwide, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of African American children and their families who are gravely overrepresented in the nation's child welfare system. BACW's "Champions for Children Gala" was held during its annual conference in Arlington, Virginia.

Also honored were two other very distinguished individuals: Ruth Massinga, CEO, Casey Family Programs, and Marian Wright Edelman, CEO, Children's Defense Fund.

"I'm delighted to be honored as a Champion for Children. It is always a privilege to be recognized by one's colleagues — particularly by those who are working in the trenches everyday to make a difference," Baker said in receiving the award. "But our work will not be finished until every child has a safe and loving home. Every one of our children — and every child is one of our children — deserves and needs the security of a safe, stable, and loving home."

Baker pointed to partnerships as fundamental to the Freddie Mac Foundation's success and key to future success of all child welfare work. She stressed to the audience of 300 that: "we will not create a world in which all of our children are cared for without working together and forming partnerships that work for children."