Dr. Marcella M. Maxwel, 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 a much sought-after organizer of seminars, workshops, and conferences that addressed issues of intergenerational health, community and fund development, and government relations. In her latter years, Dr. Maxwel worked closely with the Health Advocates for Older People and Harlem Advocates for Seniors.
The erudite Dr. Maxwel 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 demonstrated in the leadership roles she played as a platinum (50-year) member of the Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Inc., a lifetime member of the NAACP, a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, in which 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, who served on the Abyssinian Development Corporation Board of Directors, Chair of the Women’s Ministry, leader of the Golden Life Ministry, and member of the Health & Wellness Ministry, and the Welcome & Hospitality Ministry.
Marcella Maxwell successfully completed the extensive Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management Program at Harvard Business School and received a master’s degree in elementary education from Long Island University, and her doctorate in education from Fordham University.
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.
She is survived by her grandson, Vaughn Young, and wife Charise, and two great-granddaughters, Story and Journey.
