Dr. Marcella Maxwell, celebrated for her lifelong dedication to education and community service, passed away on Thursday, March 21, at 11 a.m. at Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan.
A native of Cleveland, N.C., Dr. Maxwell hailed from a family with a rich legacy in education, with her grandfather notably donating land for the first African-American elementary school in her hometown.
After relocating to the New York area, Dr. Maxwell initially worked as a secretary for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). However, feeling unfulfilled in her role, she pursued higher education, obtaining bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education from Long Island University. Continuing her academic pursuits, she later earned a doctorate in educational administration from Fordham University, focusing her dissertation on a comparative study of Black, white, and Puerto Rican elementary school principals in urban settings.
Throughout her career, Dr. Maxwell made significant contributions both inside and outside the classroom. She was selected by then-Assistant Superintendent John B. King Sr. to teach English as a second language in Puerto Rico and later trained teachers at Bank Street College of Education. Serving at Medgar Evers College for 13 years, she held positions as dean of external affairs and dean of adult and continuing education, while also maintaining involvement with the college’s foundation board.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Dr. Maxwell was deeply engaged in community service through her membership in the North Manhattan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the Greater New York Chapter of the Links, Inc. She played a pivotal role in various initiatives, including providing education for seniors on crucial issues such as Social Security, prescription drugs, and Medicare.
Dr. Maxwell’s commitment to public service extended to citywide roles, including her tenure as commissioner of human rights and chair of the Commission on Women under Mayor Edward Koch.
Funeral services for Dr. Maxwell will be held on April 5 at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, where members of Delta Sigma Theta and the Links will honor her legacy with ceremonies that morning.
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