Dr. Marcella Maxwell

Dr. Marcella M. Maxwell, who lived a golden life of 96 years as a renowned educator and champion of social justice, transitioned on Thursday, March 21, 2024 in New York City. Throughout her illustrious career that spanned seven decades, Dr. Maxwell was well-known as a civic leader in the engagement and empowerment of women and much sought after organizer of seminars, workshops, and conferences addressing issues of intergenerational health, community and fund development, and government relations. In her latter years, Dr. Maxwell worked closely with the Health Advocates for Older People and Harlem Advocates for Seniors.

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The erudite Dr. Maxwell was also the founding Dean and Clinical Supervisor of Teaching Fellows at Medgar Evers College in the City University of New York. In this role, Dr. Maxwell; trained and mentored teaching fellows to foster their professional development; organized collaborations among principals, teachers, and other faculty;  spearheaded team-building seminars, curriculum design and development; and initiated instructional strategies and methods.

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Dr. Maxwell distinguished herself as a commissioner of Human Rights and Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women under New York City Mayors, Ed Koch, and David Dinkins. She was committed to volunteerism, as a demonstrated in the leadership roles she played as a Platinum Member (50-year) of the Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Inc., Lifetime Member of the NAACP, Lifetime Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she was celebrated as the NGO representative for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., at the United Nations. She was also a proud, loyal member of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in the City of New York, and served on Abyssinian Development Corporation's Board of DIrectors, as the Chair of the Women's Ministry, leader of the Golden Life Ministry, and as a member of the Health and Wellness Ministry as well as the Welcome and Hospitality Ministry.

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Dr. Marcella Maxwell successfully completed the extensive Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management Program at Harvard Business School, and received a Masters Degree in Elemtary Education from Long Island University, as well as a Doctorate in Education from Fordham University.

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Well into her 90's, exercise was at the top of Dr. Maxwell's daily routine. She had a personal trainer and participated in aqua aerobics at the Harlem Y and the 118th Street Jewish Community Center of Harlem.

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She is survived by her grandson, Vaughn, his wife Charisse, and two great-granddaughters, Story and Journey.