Linda Kranert
Linda Kranert’s professional journey has spanned multiple industries, reflecting her adaptability, curiosity, and commitment to community service. She began her career studying Physical Education with aspirations of becoming a gym teacher but later returned to study English, which proved invaluable in her grant writing and museum work. Linda’s career path has included two decades as a paralegal, roles in high school guidance as a brace advisor, and facilitating youth education programs with Disney’s YES Program. Linda discovered her passion for museum work when she became captivated by the historic 1834 Powder Magazine in Chattahoochee, Florida. Recognizing its cultural and historical significance, she successfully wrote grants to preserve the building and transform it into the Apalachicola Arsenal Museum and Conference Center. Over the past 11 years, she has coordinated exhibits, written numerous grants, conducted historical research, and created community education programs, often volunteering additional hours beyond her scheduled workweek. Under her leadership, the museum has received recognition from the Smithsonian and developed programming for children and families in a historically underserved county. A passionate advocate for literacy, history, and community engagement, Linda’s philosophy centers on helping others and making history accessible. She believes strongly that “if you can read, you can do anything” and dedicates her work to fostering opportunities for education and cultural appreciation. Through her efforts, she has successfully preserved local history, secured funding for museum programs, and created meaningful educational experiences for children and adults alike.
Linda was also selected as the State of Florida Volunteer of the Year by Florida Special Olympics and a Volunteer of the Year by the City of Ft. Lauderdale. For Special Olympics she was a fundraiser and for the City she was a Coach of girls softball and took the first girls team ever to Little League State Tournament.
• Middletown Twp. High School – Physical Education and English
• University of Miami – Education
• Florida State University – English Studies
• Only museum in Florida selected for Smithsonian exhibit development project
• Selected twice by the Smithsonian for museum exhibits and projects
• City of Ft. Lauderdale Volunteer of the Year Award
• Volunteer of the Year – State of Florida Special Olympics
• GFWC Women's Club
• Delta Gamma Sorority
• Past fundraising volunteer for the Sunshine Foundation
• Partnerships with Florida Humanities and Smithsonian for exhibits
• Fundraising for Sunshine Foundation
• Event coordination for hockey teams in Orlando and Tallahassee
• Youth literacy programs including Seussville and book distribution
• Community education through museum programming
What do you attribute your success to?
I had a good mentor - my father was my inspiration. He did the same kind of community work I do now. He was in Lions Club, did all kinds of things with the Chamber, and he built the stadium at the high school. I learned from him that we're put on this earth to help people, and I like to do that, so why not? That's really what drives me - the belief that if you can help people, you should. I'm a firm believer that if you can read, you can do anything, and that's why I'm so passionate about promoting literacy and preserving history for the next generation.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I tell kids all the time - don't worry if you don't end up doing exactly what you studied in college. I wanted to be a gym teacher, and look at me now. I've been about 15 different things - a paralegal for 20 years, a brace advisor in a guidance office, a youth education series facilitator for Disney, and now I'm running a museum and writing grants. What you graduate with, you're probably not going to end up doing, and that's okay. Life takes you in unexpected directions, and sometimes the best opportunities come from just being open to them and saying 'I could do that job' when you see something interesting.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be open to unexpected opportunities, follow your curiosity, and don’t be afraid to take initiative. Whether it’s writing a grant, saving a historic building, or creating a community program, taking that first step and being willing to try can open doors you never imagined.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is operating a museum in an economically challenged county without regular funding, which requires constant fundraising. The greatest opportunities lie in building partnerships with institutions like the Smithsonian and Florida Humanities, and creating family-focused programs that foster community engagement and broaden support for the museum.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
We're put on this earth to help people, and I like to do that, so why not? That's really what drives everything I do. I'm a firm believer that if you can read, you can do anything, which is why I'm so passionate about promoting literacy, especially for kids in economically challenged areas like Gadsden County where most children don't even own a book. I want them to understand how to save their history and appreciate where they came from. I also believe strongly in using what you have - I tell people, if you don't use it, you'll lose it, so you might as well keep using it. That applies to your brain, your talents, and your ability to make a difference in your community.