Citizen of the Years: Sarah Michael

Sarah Michael is recognized as Oxford Citizen of the Years for her many years of leadership for several organizations in Oxford, including Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, the Oxford Community Arts Center (OCAC), the Greater Oxford Community Foundation, the Kiwanis Club of Oxford, the Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum (RCCAM) and several other Oxford-area organizations.

“Sarah Michael doesn’t just join organizations,” David Belka wrote in his nomination letter. “(She) joins with 100% contributions and leadership … (and she) commits for many years in the organizations she joins and the community service programs in which she participates.”

At Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Michael has been Chair of the Pastoral Care Committee that provides meals for people in need during sickness or family emergencies, brings flowers to those who are hospitalized and coordinates memorial service receptions among other services. As Chair of Holy Trinity’s Arts Committee, Michael has organized the Red Door Community Concerts since their start four years ago, and since then has taken the leadership in programming and fundraising for the series. Michael told the Oxford Free Press “As the (Red Door Community Concert) series proceeds, the audience members experience music as an art form which connects us all, transcends differences and provides comfort.”

Michael has been a leader in the arts in Oxford for several decades. She was a founding board member of the Oxford Community Arts group in 1998 and was a leader in raising the funds to renovate the vacant Oxford College for Women building into an arts center. When the OCAC opened in 2001, Michael served in a volunteer role as chair prior to the hiring of a director.

Michael has been a long-time Docent and Steering Committee member at the RCCAM and was named its Volunteer of the Year in 2025. She is the former President of the Greater Oxford Community Foundation.

Michael currently serves as Secretary of the Oxford Kiwanis Club and is an active participant and leader in the club’s many community service projects, including Chili Day, Pancake Day, Back-to-School-Bash and Salvation Army Bell Ringing, among other efforts. 

Michael was named Oxford Citizen of the Year in 2006 and Couple of the Year, along with husband Jim Michael, in 2002. She is the only three-time recipient of this recognition.

“Sarah’s community service is amazing,” Belka concluded in his nomination letter. “Her membership in various organizations is always a multi-year commitment.” 

Michael’s multi-year commitment to many organizations is at the heart of her recognition as Oxford’s Citizen of the Years.