Meet Myrtle Figueras, or should we say, “Nous aimerions vous rencontrer Mme Figueras.” Myrtle is not only very active in Hall County government, serving as Mayor of Gainesville (2001-2002) and (2008-2009), and currently serving her 20th year on the Gainesville City Council; she is a lover and educator of the French language.
Myrtle has lived in Hall County for 49 years. She is from Thomasville but found a place here in 1965 teaching French. She taught in the Gainesville City School System for 30 years. Then she served as Adjunct Professor of French at Brenau University for seven years. Her students, to this day, still address her as Ms. Fig. Among her many awards and accomplishments there is an annual scholarship established in her name that is given to students who succeed in foreign language and decide to pursue further education in that area.
One of Myrtle’s favorite social outings in the area is meeting with other French people and French speakers here in Hall County. When we say she loves French we really mean it; she has traveled to France a total of five times and would love to return.
If anyone is active in the community it’s definitely Myrtle… She is involved in several things including:
-Member of Board of Directors, Georgia Municipal Association
-Member of Board of Trustees, Georgia Municipal Employee Benefit System
-Georgia Municipal Association Municipal Training Board Member
-Hall County Family Connection Board Member
-Gainesville Planning Board Member
Figueras always wants to remind people to “do the best you can, with everybody you can, all the time, no matter what.” Also, to remember that “communication is key and body language is just as important.”
Recently, we had a chance to ask her a few questions.
Question: What is your favorite place to eat in Hall County?
Answer: “Cheddar’s because of the reasonable menu prices. And I also love Sweet Magnolia’s.”
Q: At what point in your life did you feel the most satisfied?
A: “Teaching my children at Gainesville High School.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “The melting pot of individuals that live here and the lake. Lake Lanier is our pearl.”
Q: What is the biggest change you have seen since living here?
A: “The population increase. People love to come to Gainesville because of the inviting nature of the community.”
Read more profiles from the Faces of Hall County project
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.
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