Associate Dean Teresa McDermott to be honored at Freedom Fund Banquet

Tue, Sep 6 2022

Throughout her more than 30-year career at Olympic College, Dr. Teresa McDermott has worked tirelessly to create opportunities for those who are often overlooked and underserved in our community. In fact, her commitment to providing platforms that give voice to those who are not only experiencing challenges, but also making a real difference, goes well beyond her time at Olympic College.

As the founder of Kitsap Chronicle, she published a weekly print publication focusing on communities of color and topics of concern that may not have been covered by mainstream media.

Outside of work, Dr. McDermott has served on numerous boards and professional organizations, volunteering countless hours of her personal time with organizations such as YWCA, Kitsap Regional Library, Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue Citizen Advisory Committee, the Black Historical Society of Kitsap County, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and many others.

On Sept. 10, the NAACP Unit 1134 of Bremerton will recognize Dr. McDermott at the 79th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet. This year’s theme – Black Women are Supreme – pays homage to recently confirmed Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson – the first black woman to serve on the Supreme Court, in addition to so many other women of color nationally and locally who have been at the forefront of social change.

“She (McDermott) has been a pillar in our community and is a true leader,” says Robert Harris, President of the Bremerton NAACP. “Black women don’t always get the credit they deserve, but if you look at the history, they have played such a huge role and made so many sacrifices that we are standing on their shoulders.”

It may sound cliché, but for Dr. McDermott, her time at Olympic College has been a journey of life-long learning. Dr. McDermott began in a part-time role and credits former colleagues Dr. Cynthia Azari and Charlotte York for welcoming her into the college and encouraging her to take on progressive leadership opportunities. Today, Dr. McDermott serves as the Associate Dean overseeing the Transitional Studies and Career Center, where students can earn their high school diplomas, learn English as a second language, and build the skills needed to succeed in college-level classes.

Dr. McDermott was one of several employees who helped create and strengthen programming serving those who have been impacted by the justice system. She credits colleagues, Dean of Student Development Elaine Williams-Bryant, Jodi Collins who manages Multicultural Services, Outreach Manager Elsa Krier and the former Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Cheryl Nunez for their collaborative efforts in laying the foundation for providing these Reentry Navigation Services which began with trips to the Kitsap County Jail on a monthly basis.

“We saw this population of justice-impacted community members with no formal support system in place,” she said. “We looked at it as an opportunity to let them know there are avenues in their lives to move forward and they are not alone.”

Dr. McDermott credits her mother and grandmother for inspiring her to continue on this journey of being a social justice advocate. Due to racial discrimination and educational inequalities, neither graduated from high school.

“The work that I am doing is part of their legacy. They remained positive throughout their lives despite their lack of educational opportunities and that motivates and sustains me to do this work,” she said.

Others being recognized at the Freedom Banquet include: