One of the strongest voices in support of providing migrant farmworker children with a quality education, as well as much needed services for their families, has gone quiet. Medora Krome, who served as board chair for RCMA for seven years, recently passed, leaving an amazing legacy of philanthropy and selfless service to others.
Born in Homestead, Florida, her spirit was eventually woven into the very fabric of the land she grew up on. She graduated in 1973 from Sewanee, the University of the South, she emerged as a pioneer, part of the inaugural class that welcomed women into its school. This milestone was just the beginning of her journey towards fostering positive change.
Following college, she stepped into the family business, immersing herself in the verdant fields of agriculture, cultivating avocados with an amazing skill set that she learned from her father. As she nurtured the land, she also nurtured a deep-seated connection with the Homestead agricultural community, where her presence became one of hope and inspiration.
Her tireless dedication to causes close to her heart knew no bounds. Whether it was advocating for the widening of Krome Avenue in Miami, lending her voice to the Everglades Restoration Task Force, or tirelessly serving on the Florida Avocado Administrative Committee, Medora was a force to be reckoned with—a steadfast champion of progress and sustainability.
Yet, amidst her many endeavors, it was her unwavering commitment to RCMA (Redlands Christian Migrant Association) that truly illustrated the depth of her compassion. Following in her father’s footsteps, one of the early founders of the organization, she poured her heart and soul into empowering the children of migrant farm workers and low-income families, ensuring they had access to education and opportunities for a brighter future.
Always wanting to do more, she joined the RCMA board in 1999, immediately setting a tone of hard work and concern for the fragile communities that the organization served, eventually ascending to board chair in 2016, a position she would hold until 2023.
Fellow board member Jaime Weisinger, Director of Community and Government Relations for Lipman Family Farms, was affected by Medora and her powerful presence.
“Whenever Medora spoke, you immediately knew she had credibility,” he recalls. “Not only did she wholeheartedly believe in the mission at RCMA, but she was invested in the programs personally. She was always one of our biggest funders and her passion set the tone of the organization.”
When asked about her leadership style as the board chair, Weisinger appreciated her directness in her service.
“Medora did not mince words when it came to why we were all there. She was very passionate about the families that we served as well as the people within the organization. She was willing to do whatever it took to make us better.”
Medora made sure that her legacy would be remembered for generations to come when she established the Krome scholarship at RCMA. Since 2015, the scholarship has supported dozens of RCMA employees, their families and RCMA alumni by providing scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $6,000. More than $150,000 in scholarship money has been awarded.
Among the students that the scholarship has helped is Fredy Jimenez, a graduate of RCMA’s Immokalee Community Academy. The Krome scholarship helped him reduce the loan payment he was making on a cochlear device that helped him hear his instructors better and do well in class.
Hers was a life lived with purpose, passion, and an abiding love for all living things. RCMA is indebted to the extraordinary legacy of Medora Krome—a true guardian of the land, a champion of the vulnerable, and a beloved friend to all.
