Enola Maxwell

Enola D. "Miz" Maxwell (August 30, 1919 – June 24, 2003)[1] was an American civil rights activist from San Francisco in the United States.[2] She was a community leader, active in the Potrero Hill neighborhood.

Biography

In 1968, Maxwell became the first woman – and first black person – to be named as lay minister at a Presbyterian Church, she served at Olivet Presbyterian Church in the Potrero Hill neighborhood.[1][3]

Maxwell was later appointed by the church as the executive director of the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House from 1971 until 2003,[4][5] a role she served until her death at the age of 83.[6]: 76  The Potrero Hill Neighborhood House serves the local community with adult education classes, youth and summer school classes, a kindergarten, a meeting hall, and offers theatre performances and dramatics classes.[7]

In 2001, the Potrero Hill Middle School was renamed to the Enola D. Maxwell Middle School of the Arts.[6]: 77  The Enola D. Maxwell Middle School of the Arts is located at the same site as a 1950s public housing site that Maxwell had lived in.[4] Her daughter, Sophie Maxwell, was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 2000.[6]: 77 

See also

• African Americans in San Francisco

References

1. "Pelosi Statement In Honor of Enola Maxwell". pelosi.house.gov. July 25, 2003. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
2. Gilmore, Stephanie (2008). Feminist Coalitions: Historical Perspectives on Second-wave Feminism in the United States. University of Illinois Press. p. 92. ISBN 978-0-252-07539-1. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
3. Hoge, Patrick (June 25, 2003). "Enola Maxwell -- activist, advocate / Supervisor's mom championed neighborhood". www.sfgate.com. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
4. Linenthal, Peter; Johnston, Abigail (July 27, 2005). San Francisco's Potrero Hill. Potrero Hill Archives Project. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 73–75, 77. ISBN 978-1-4396-3082-2.
5. Adams, Judith Porter (1991). "Peacework : oral histories of women peace activists". Boston : Twayne Publishers. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
6. Linenthal, Peter; Johnston, Abigail; Project, Potrero Hill Archives (July 27, 2005). San Francisco's Potrero Hill. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4396-3082-2. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
7. Carlsson, Chris. "Neighborhood House". FoundSF. Retrieved May 23, 2023.