"We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted,
knowing that they hold future promise.
We are prophets of a future not our own."
-from a prayer of Bishop Ken Untener of Saginaw
Margaret Williams is hope in human form. She is both the result of seeds sown and, herself, a prolific planter.
Known to many in our community as an advocate, volunteer, and fundraiser, Ms. Margaret has devoted her life to lifting others up, especially those living with HIV. Her passion is extraordinary because it grows out of her own story, which has included more than her fair share of hardship, including homelessness and addiction.
In 1990, Margaret was diagnosed with HIV. At that time, people with the disease were expected to only live a few years. She received this news as a death sentence which sent her spiraling into many years of struggle. She spent nights wherever she could, often in the alley next to Room In The Inn’s Campus, underneath the railroad trestle on 8th Avenue, or in the garage of a friend’s sister. Margaret gives credit to the interactions she had at Room In The Inn, with members of the staff, Father Strobel, and volunteers in congregations where she spent winter nights, for planting the seeds of hope in her life and helping her realize her worth.
One of the Room In The Inn van drivers was particularly important to Margaret. She noticed he dropped the guests off downtown and then returned to the Campus a little later in the morning. She finally asked him why this was and he invited her to the recovery meeting he was leading.
Margaret was able to secure housing, but her life was still filled with chaos. She spent her 54th birthday in jail. Feeling her body wearing down, it was in this dark moment that she made a decision that it was time to start taking care of herself. The seeds of hope planted through the years began to take root.
Slowly, she began rebuilding her life. She finally accepted the invitation to the recovery meeting. That Room In The Inn van driver became a mentor and friend as she worked through the twelve steps of AA.
Margaret started volunteering at Nashville CARES as part of her community service. What began as an obligation quickly became a calling. She discovered her gift for encouragement. Her honesty, warmth, and experience made her a powerful presence in support groups. One day, after hearing her speak, someone told her she would make a great advocate. That affirmation opened another new door.
Before long, Margaret was traveling to Washington, D.C. to meet with senators and members of Congress, lifting up the voices of people living with HIV. She got involved with the Nashville AIDS Walk, and decided that she could do more than simply show up. She became one of event’s top fundraisers, collecting over $25,000 over the past few years.
Through advocacy, volunteering, and fundraising, Margaret has become a beacon to others walking paths similar to her own. She encourages everyone she meets to “find something positive to do that you’re passionate about.” Her life is a testament to the power of what can grow when hope is planted, watered, and shared.
Today, Ms. Margaret stands as living proof that change is possible. She is a reminder that even in the hardest seasons, hope can take root and change not just one life, but an entire community.
She is a prophet for hope--a future not our own.
