Founder's Story
Our Founder and CEO: Dr. Sharon P. Sutherland-Reid , Ph.D
Carrying Forward a Mother’s Legacy, Fueling a Global Mission for Educational Equity
At the heart of **PMW International Educational Rescue Foundation** is a powerful story of love, legacy, and unwavering belief in the power of education to transform lives. The foundation was established by Dr. Sharon P. Sutherland-Reid, a visionary educator, advocate, and humanitarian whose lifelong passion for justice and learning was shaped by one extraordinary woman—her mother, Phyllis Maud Wyatt.
A Daughter Inspired
Phyllis Maud Wyatt was a woman of extraordinary vision and unwavering conviction. A lifelong champion of human dignity and the transformative power of education, she believed that every child—regardless of birthplace, gender, or circumstance—deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
Phyllis spent her life advocating for those too often forgotten: the children who walk miles for a chance to attend school, the girls denied education because of tradition or poverty, the youth whose dreams are silenced by conflict or displacement. She saw in them not only struggle—but potential.
Dr. Sutherland-Reid absorbed those values deeply. Through her own academic journey and global experiences, she witnessed firsthand the barriers that prevent millions of children from accessing quality education. But she also carried with her the lessons her mother taught: that no act of kindness is too small, and that one voice—when used with courage—can spark real change.
The Birth of PMW International Educational Rescue Foundation
In honoring her mother’s enduring influence, Dr. Sharon P. Sutherland-Reid founded **PMW International Educational Rescue Foundation—named in tribute to Phyllis Maud Wyatt (PMW). The organization’s mission is clear: to rescue and restore the right to education for children in under-resourced and marginalized communities around the world.
What began as a deeply personal endeavor quickly grew into a dynamic and expanding movement. Guided by Dr. Sutherland-Reid’s leadership and grounded in her mother’s values, PMW International Educational Rescue Foundation partners with local educators and families to break down systemic barriers and build sustainable pathways to learning.
A Legacy in Action
Today, PMW International Educational Rescue Foundation supports initiatives such as:
- Creating safe, inclusive learning environments
- Providing scholarships, supplies, and school meals
- Promoting girls' education and gender equality
- Supporting teacher training and community-led solution
- Providing transportation in the rural areas for children to get to and from school
Every project reflects Dr. Sutherland-Reid’s belief that education is both a human right and a human responsibility—and every success story honors the quiet strength of Phyllis Maud Wyatt.
A Message from the Founder
“My mother didn’t have wealth or titles, but she gave me the greatest inheritance possible: integrity, compassion, and a love for learning. PMW International Educational Rescue Foundation is her legacy in motion. I founded it to carry her spirit forward—and to make sure children who are too often overlooked are finally seen, heard, and educated.”*
Dr. Sharon P. Sutherland-Reid, Ph.D
Honoring the Past, Empowering the Future
PMW International Educational Rescue Foundation is more than an organization. It is a bridge between generations, a tribute to a mother’s enduring influence, and a commitment to a world where every child can learn with dignity and hope.
We invite you to join us in continuing this mission—honoring the past, and building a future Phyllis Maud Wyatt would be proud of.