Marin Women's Hall of Fame

       In  Edna Muse's short fourteen years in Marin County, she has become recognized as a community  resource dedicated to the service of others.  Her local contributions have been through many different outlets - through the schools, community-based organizations and her church.  Edna's belief, that helping others is always above self, is rooted in the strong Christian beliefs that have been with her since childhood.

     Born in Amite, Louisiana (about sixty miles outside of New Orleans), Edna spent her early years in an integrated area of New Orleans.  "I loved our neighborhood. Our neighbors were our friends.  I have such fond memories of growing up."  She was the oldest of three children. When asked about early role models, Edna was quick to mention the example of her mother.  "She was a saint.  If it hadn't been for her, I know I would have made a lot more mistakes in my life."  Edna's mother was a woman who believed in the value of education.  As a result of her encouragement and enthusiasm, Edna loved school.  Edna was a good student, and enjoyed her teachers and being with the other students.  "My mother's motto," claims Edna, "was 'Work Hard, Study, and Be Clean!'"  

     While Edna describes her family as being poor, they were prosperous and proud. Their house was scrubbed clean.  Their clothes, though sometimes sporting mends, were always spotless.  "My mother always said we could be poor, but we must never be dirty"  Edna also remembers that, as a child, her mother would take Edna with her as she gave out food and clothes to those less fortunate people  around them.  What Edna seems to have appreciated  most about  her mother/role model was her  friendship, her wisdom, her generous nature and her dedication to the family. Described as a quiet and serious woman, she still lives in New Orleans.  To her great sorrow, Edna's father died two years ago. "My father was the opposite of my mother."   Edna describes him as a rambunctious man who had loads of energy; he loved to work both as a baker and at different projects around the house.  "He  could never sit still!"

     But, there were some elements of her childhood that were not pleasant for Edna.  Her first experience with racial discrimination was when she was a young girl.  One specific incident comes to mind from when she was thirteen years old.  She was not allowed to get a front row seat to watch the Mardi Gras Parade - blacks were supposed to stay in the back and suffer a blocked view of the festivities.  For Edna it was her first experience with being a  "direct target", and one that she will never forget. 

     When the Civil Rights Movement, headed by Reverend Martin Luther King Jr, began to grow, it made a big difference in Edna's life. She heard King speak in local New Orleans churches, and became inspired to  overcome any obstacles that would stand in her way. in a way, her commitment to a life of community service and  her efforts to  help people and to help make the world a better place began at this time.

     The biggest argument Edna ever heard  in her house was the one that dealt with the subject of  her going onto college after graduation from high school.  Her father saw no need for a college education (a major disappointment for Edna); her mother wanted her to get a college degree so that  she could teach school.   It is an argument that Edna's mother won.  She received no money from her  father for her education expenses.  Instead, she worked her way through by taking any job she could find.  She attended Dillard University in New Orleans, studying music and teaching.

     it was during college that Edna married Fred Muse, Jr.  "I had known him since childhood," states Edna, "but I  didn't like him. I wasn't boy crazy - I was into books!"  But, Fred was persistent and they were married while Edna was a junior in college.  "I married the right man for the right reasons.  We talked a lot; it is still a marriage of equals."  Fred was in the Army at the time, so numerous relocations came in the years that followed.

     Edna did manage to take voice lessons.  She also realized her mother's dream by teaching school in both Oklahoma and California.  They arrived in the Bay Area thirty years ago, with Fred being stationed at the Presidio Army Base.  During these Army  years, the Muses had three daughters, Linda, Diane and Marcia.  Like her mother, she decided to stay home with her children while they were young.  Fred was also very supportive of this idea.  Her commitment to singing continued, however, and Edna traveled  around the United States singing for the U.S.0. at various military installations.   During this time, she also volunteered with the American Red Cross, helping those in both private hospitals and at Letterman Hospital.

     After the girls were old enough, Edna took on a series of public sector jobs.  Fred retired from military service in 1971, and the Muses moved to Marin County shortly thereafter.  Fred enrolled in and  graduated from law school.  (He is now employed with the Marin County District Attorney's Office as a  family support investigator.) And Edna began her community service in Marin.

     By 1978, Edna was recognized by the American Cancer Society with the "Order of the Golden Sword"  in recognition of her volunteer efforts with that organization.  Edna presented music programs in the local schools and was responsible for developing special programs for Martin Luther King Day.  Every January, she is still involved in school music presentations in tribute Dr. King.  In 1987, Edna  was awarded  the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award by the Marin County Human Rights Commission, an award that is very special to her.

     Her volunteerism at the Novato Human Needs Center has ranged from collecting emergency foods, to being on their speaker's bureau, to being in charge of fundraising.  In 1982, Novato Human Needs Center gave her their Certificate of Award.  As an eight- year member (and for two years serving as president) of Concerned Parents, Edna helped to raise funds for college scholarships.

     For this community work and more, she was nominated for "Novato Citizen of the Year".  Lately, she has also donated time to the Marin County Farmer's Market. Throughout all of her community service, Edna has stayed very involved with her church.  For example during the last ten years,  she  has made visitations with other members of her congregation to the inmates at San Quentin Prison and San Bruno Jail.  Her Christian faith has always been a presence in her life.  However, its importance has deepened over the years.  "I take it very seriously now; it has become 'my leaning post'."

     She has enjoyed the opportunity to sing in the church choir.  In fact, Edna's voice is recognized  locally as one of the best around. Specializing in gospel singing and 'well-screened" popular music, Edna has sung at conventions, benefit concerts and numerous special choirs.   She has been offered many singing contracts to sing blues music, but  has turned  them down -  he prefers gospel.  Edna   continues to practice her singing practically every day.  It is still a goal of hers to make a gospel music album.

     Edna has other goals.   (Like  her father, she claims she can't sit still)  She wants to climb Mount  Everest.  She wants to learn how to hang glide and wind surf, just as she taught herself to swim as an adult.  She wants to continue her service to the community in any way she can.  She wants to further develop her already-renowned Louisiana gourmet cooking  talents.  Like her mother and like Martin Luther King Edna has a motto:

"When you confront a challenge, rise to it, never run away; meet it, never run away; defeat it, never run away."