Florence Graydon devoted 45 years of her life to serving others through distinguished careers in social and educational services and human resources. Her empathy and commitment to excellence made her a respected leader in each sector. Retired since 2013, her last position was social services supervisor in Adult Protective Services with the New York City Human Resources Administration. In this role, Ms. Graydon supervised a team of four case workers and case managers, ensuring that vulnerable adults received the care and resources they needed. She worked with New York City for a total of 28 years.
Beforehand, Ms. Graydon spent 17 years with Project Upward Bound, a federally funded program designed to help high school students with potential to obtain post-secondary education. She started there as a tutor-counselor and later rose to become the program director, one of her proudest career achievements. Her leadership in this capacity was driven by her passion for education and her belief that “there’s room at the top for everyone.” She worked tirelessly to organize summer programs and year-round initiatives for students, even continuing the program without pay during funding delays. Her ability to push through and rally support left a lasting impact on the students and families she served.
Ms. Graydon’s academic achievements played a significant role in shaping her professional journey. She earned a Master of Science in counseling education from Queens College, City University of New York, after completing a bachelor’s degree in sociology at the same institution. Her education also equipped her with the tools to connect with people, listen deeply, and provide effective guidance. These skills proved essential as she worked to uplift individuals and families. Throughout her career, Ms. Graydon emphasized the importance of reaching out to others and has maintained strong relationships with students and families with whom she worked.
Ms. Graydon’s professional success was influenced largely by her upbringing. Raised by her mother, who became a single parent after the untimely death of Ms. Graydon’s father when she was 2 years old, Ms. Graydon grew up inspired and motivated by her mother’s perseverance. These values shaped her own approach to life and work, instilling in her a strong sense of responsibility and commitment.
In addition to her career, Ms. Graydon is perennially and positively active in her community. For more than 40 years, she has been a proud member of the historic Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Moreover, at Vital Church NYC, also known as Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, she is a trustee, Sunday school teacher, and volunteer in the kitchen serving meals to local residents and the homeless. Experienced in serving houses of faith, Ms. Graydon had also been the founding president of a former church’s educational council, tirelessly working to promote education and support for underserved populations. Her many selfless efforts have been recognized with commendations from the New York State Assembly and awards from the Project Upward Bound student and parent advisory boards, her church, and her community.
Ms. Graydon’s contributions extend beyond her professional and community roles. Personally, she cherishes moments of growth and connection, such as helping her nephew pursue his passion for the culinary arts. She fondly recalls with pride watching him graduate from high school, mirroring her belief in the effectiveness of encouragement and support.
In her leisure time, Ms. Graydon enjoys reading and reflecting on her career and life spent helping others achieve their potential. As a Christian, her faith in God is the primary moving force of her life. Her journey is a testament to the power of service and persistence.