Maryland first lady cheers race for ‘Y’ project and Douglass statue

Maryland’s first lady Katie O’Malley, right, stands with Tyler Sharp and Teresa Koebel, the male and female “top runners,” and Koebel’s son, John, in Thompson Park at the end of Saturday’s 10-mile race. Photo By Becca Newell

By Becca Newell Staff Writer
EASTON
The first day of May brought sunshine, live music, Maryland’s first lady Katie O’Malley and more than 200 runners to downtown Easton Saturday morning for a 10-mile race honoring Frederick Douglass.

The race, held by the Talbot County YMCA and the Frederick Douglass Honor Society, raised more than $8,000 for the two organizations. The YMCA is raising money to construct a teen and family center next to its Easton facility that will offer a climbing wall and media center, among other amenities for children and teens.

The honor society is raising money to create a Frederick Douglass memorial in Easton and, if additional funds remain after the sculpture is completed, the group hopes to establish a scholarship fund in Douglass’ name and offer educational services about his life, struggles and accomplishments, including a Frederick Douglass room at the Talbot County Free Library.

“I want to congratulate (the runners) on their hard work and effort we’re proud of everyone who came out and participated,” O’Malley said. “I’m really happy to be in Talbot County the birthplace of Frederick Douglass and to be part of such a good cause.”

Douglass returned to Easton in 1878 as a free man and during his visit, spoke to Talbot County children at the courthouse about his journey, according to Harriette Lowery, a Frederick Douglass honor society member. During this speech, he told the schoolchildren “what is possible for me is possible for you,” and the honor society hopes the memorial will exude this mentality.

“Our slogan for the event is ‘accomplish the possible’ taken from the speech Douglass gave outside the courthouse,” said Mary Ann Henker, the event’s marketing and PR representative. “We used him as an inspiration; he really is a true role model.”

Participants in the race followed a 10-mile course from the Freeland farm near St. Michaels to the Easton courthouse, retracing Douglass’ steps where he had spoken as a free man.

Tyler Sharp, a midshipman from the Annapolis Naval Academy received the ‘top male’ award with a running time of one hour and one minute and Teresa Koebel, also from Annapolis, accepted the ‘top female’ award with a running time of one hour and 14 minutes.

O’Malley introduced and presented the two awards. Koebel’s son, John, 5, joined his mother on stage as she received her award and excitedly told the first lady that he was his mom’s coach.

O’Malley became Maryland’s first lady in January 2007, when her husband, Martin O’Malley, was elected governor. Running for re-election, O’Malley said her husband has a good chance of winning.

“He’s had to make some tough choices in the past and I think people respect that,” she said.

Although she is unable to join him on the campaign trail because of her profession as a judge, her children are excited about campaigning with their father.

“I’m trying to send my one son to a tennis camp or another summer activity, but he just wants to campaign,” she joked. “I think he’s going to be the hardest worker on the team!”

More than 70 volunteers helped with the event, in addition to the numerous musicians and vendors located at Thompson Park. The honor society needs $135,000 for the Douglass statue, with more funding necessary for additional projects. It currently has less than $80,000 raised. The YMCA has already collected $4 million toward the new youth center and needs an additional $1 million.