Jinny Chalmers in the classroom.
For Jinny Chalmers, “keep the faith” was more than encouragement—it was a philosophy rooted in collective action and unwavering commitment to educational justice.
As principal of Young Achievers Science and Mathematics Pilot School in Boston for 20 years, she built a community where students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, could see themselves as capable of anything. Her approach was radical in its simplicity: create spaces where everyone belongs, where diverse voices are heard, and where excellence is expected from all.
A Legacy That Grows
Following Jinny’s tragic death in 2020, hundreds of people wanted to honor her memory. Her wife, Ilene Carver, a longtime educator herself, searched for the right way to capture the full spectrum of Jinny’s values and commitments.
“We couldn’t land on one organization that represented the range of values that were so deeply embedded in who she was as an educator and how she moved in the world,” Ilene explains. “And so that was when we decided, well, we’ll start our own fund so that we can name the principles that were so important to her.”
The answer led them to establish a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) at the Cambridge Community Foundation. Through the Jinny Chalmers Fund for Education Justice, they can support diverse organizations that embody her commitment to excellent and equitable education, racial justice, elevating family voices, teacher mentoring, and youth leadership.
More Than Financial Support
The fund now reaches nonprofit organizations across the country supporting work near and far—from experiential education in Maine to inclusive summer programming for youth in Cape Verde to teacher development in trauma-informed practices in a West Bank kindergarten. Each grant carries forward Jinny’s belief that change happens when communities come together.
“It gives me incredible joy and also very deep sadness,” reflects Maya about seeing her mother’s legacy play out through the fund. While acknowledging that her mother’s direct impact would have been even greater, she finds meaning in how the fund allows Jinny’s values to reach new communities.
For the family, choosing CCF as their philanthropic home made perfect sense. Jinny’s roots as an educator began in Cambridge at the King Open School, and the city remained central to her values throughout her life.
“Everybody I spoke with was full of wonderful things to say about the Cambridge Community Foundation,” Ilene shares. The Foundation’s support for grassroots, community-based work aligned perfectly with how Jinny approached education—from the ground up, driven by those most affected.
Carrying It Forward
This June 14 marks the first annual Jinny Chalmers Day. Ilene describes it as a way “to honor Jinny, to really uplift her values, the things she stood for, and to carry on her legacy.” The event will bring together family, educators, and community members at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury, in the spirit of collective action that Jinny championed with support from nonprofit partner, Hurricane Island. Among them, longtime friends and Cambridge locals Phyllis Bretholtz and Lynne Hall will lead the Cambridge team—continuing the spirit of community that Jinny championed throughout her life.
The day represents both remembrance and renewal—a chance to connect with others who believe in educational equity and social justice. As Maya hopes, it’s an opportunity for participants to embrace the idea of paying it forward: “We’re at a stage where we really have to watch each other’s backs, and we need to look out for each other.”
As we prepare for Jinny Chalmers Day, we’re reminded that keeping the faith means taking action, building community, and believing that together, we can create the change we seek.
The Cambridge Community Foundation is honored to be the home of the Jinny Chalmers Fund for Education Justice. Register here for Jinny Chalmers Day.
