(Nominees for the 2012 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals Awards)
Public service is founded on the idea that people can make a difference. Maretta Hemsley-Wood and Margy Natalie are the embodiment of that ideal by increasing the diffusion of knowledge. Their work in the docent program of the National Air and Space Museum enables educational programming for school and adult groups to make a demonstrable impact by preserving national heritage, imparting knowledge, and sharing national resources worldwide.
According to Museum Director General Dailey, the Docent Corps “helped inspire generations of scientists, engineers, astronauts, and citizens…” He added “We are proud of their achievements and look forward to them serving Americans and other visitors through our mission in years to come.”
The Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world. The volunteer Docent Corps, under the supervision of Maretta and Margy, has developed a dynamic environment and real camaraderie. The Docent Corps comprises an elite group of 368 enthusiasts. Each is an "airplane nut, space nut, a buff," who knows significantly more than most visitors about airplanes and is willing to share that knowledge as a volunteer.
Maretta and Margy developed docent public programming and manage the day-to-day operations. Both ensure a smooth, cost effective and efficient operation of docent programming and represent the museum’s viewpoint. The program is successful because they actively recruit, orient, train and coordinate the docents’ participation in the formal programming by taking an active role in the Education Department’s programs and identifying means by which the docents can impact the larger mission of the department.
Maretta and Margy's contributions to help strengthen museum education and enhance our nation’s ability to compete globally are virtually unparalleled by any other in the Smithsonian. Their goal is to help the docent corps to provide all visitors with an exciting and engaging experience that gives visitors a new understanding of the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world. They have been successful leading the effort to maintain an atmosphere within the organization that provides satisfaction for all docents so that volunteers feel rewarded and satisfied with their work at the museum and want to return week after week.
From the flagship museum at the National Mall to the picturesque hangar near Dulles Airport, Maretta, Margy and the Docent Corps enable adults and children to gain insight of hundreds of aircraft, spacecraft, and associated artifacts. They strive to create tours and programs for adults that foster an ongoing relationship with the museum and its varied programs. Their efforts exemplify the commitment to explore and bring to light new knowledge and ideas, and better ways of serving the public. They remind us that when we come together in a common cause, we discover the best in ourselves and we can deliver the highest-quality services.
The story of Maretta, Margy and the volunteer Docent Corps demonstrates teamwork as the key to success. The enthusiasm of the team’s members sparks advocacy of the significance of humans’ accomplishment in aerospace. They have proven that we can build the necessary coalitions and take actions to instill our work with imagination and innovation. Maretta and Margy work with the energetic and dynamic group of museum docents with a high degree of professionalism to achieve the goal of providing all visitors with a memorable experience. They are innovators who brought interactive tours to the museum and help NASM maintain its reputation as a showplace for the artifacts.
America is an increasingly diverse society that shares a history, ideals, and an indomitable, innovative spirit. Maretta and Margy use the resources across disciplines to explore what it means to be an American and to share the historical interest and significance of aviation and spaceflight with people of all nations. Of particular significance, Maretta and Margy developed a comprehensive strategy to ensure every docent received a rigorous training. In addition, they implemented a unique government/volunteer team partnership, where visitors experience the Museum's world-class collection. They achieved remarkable success in maximizing educational opportunities for school groups and general museum visitors from all over the world.