Worcester Public Schools Logo on White Background.

Intersection Dedicated After Dr. Ogretta V. McNeil, Late School Committee Member

Worcester Public Schools

November 20, 2023

On Monday, November 20, the intersection of Irving and Chatham streets was re-named “Dr. Ogretta V. McNeil Way” to honor the late Worcester School Committee member, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 84.

Dr. McNeil was one of the first women of color to serve on the School Committee and is credited with pioneering diversity, equity, and inclusion work as a psychology professor and dean of ALANA student services at the College of the Holy Cross, where she worked for 27 years.

Dr. McNeil’s sons, Rev. Dr. John Vaughn and Robert Vaughn, along with her grandson, James Vaughn, were on hand for the dedication, along with numerous friends, family members, and city and school officials.

She was very active in the community, serving 10 years on the School Committee with two as Vice Chair. She was a part-time reading tutor for first-grade students at the Chandler Street School and served on numerous boards.

Her achievements included being an organizing member of Africana Studies, a founding member of the Jesuit Conference on Minority Affairs, and as President of the New England Psychological Association.

Rev. Dr. John Vaughn and Robert Vaughn speak about their mother in the Durkin Administration Building auditorium.

Rev. Dr. John Vaughn and Robert Vaughn speak about their mother in the Durkin Administration Building auditorium.

 

Dr. Ogretta McNeil's grandson, James Vaughn, pulls the drapery off the street sign that now bears his grandmother's name.

Dr. Ogretta McNeil’s grandson, James Vaughn, pulls the drapery off the street sign that now bears his grandmother’s name.

Family members and city officials pose for a photo while holding the new street sign with Dr. McNeil's name.

Family members and city officials pose for a photo while holding the new street sign with Dr. McNeil’s name.