Bertha Maxwell-Roddey: A Modern-Day Race Woman and the Power of Black Leadership

Bertha Maxwell-Roddey was a pioneering educational activist and Black studies pioneer who achieved significant accomplishments in the desegregated South. She founded the National Council for Black Studies and served as the 20th National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Sonya Ramsey's biography highlights Maxwell-Roddey's leadership strategies and contributions to dismantling discriminatory barriers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 21 June 2022
Publisher: University Press of Florida

Bertha Maxwell-Roddey, a pioneering figure in the desegregated South, was an educational activist and Black studies pioneer whose life was marked by remarkable achievements and leadership. Born in 1930, Maxwell-Roddey became one of Charlotte's first Black women principals of a white elementary school, a position that showcased her dedication to breaking down racial barriers. She went on to establish the University of North Carolina at Charlotte's Africana Studies Program, a groundbreaking initiative that aimed to promote African American studies and culture. Additionally, Maxwell-Roddey cofounded the Afro-American Cultural and Service Center, now known as the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Art + Culture, which served as a hub for community engagement and cultural preservation.

Maxwell-Roddey's impact extended beyond her local community. She founded the National Council for Black Studies, a seminal organization that played a crucial role in institutionalizing the field of Black studies. Her leadership also saw her serve as the 20th National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., one of the most influential Black women's organizations in the United States. Through the use of oral histories and primary sources, including private records from numerous Black women's home archives, Sonya Ramsey's biography sheds light on the intersectional leadership strategies employed by Maxwell-Roddey and other modern race women. Ramsey highlights how these leaders dismantled discriminatory barriers in the classroom and the boardroom, paving the way for greater equality and opportunities for marginalized communities.

Bertha Maxwell-Roddey's life story offers valuable insights into desegregation, urban renewal, and the rise of the Black middle class. Her unwavering commitment to social justice and her ability to inspire others have left an indelible mark on the history of the United States. Maxwell-Roddey's legacy continues to inspire generations of activists and leaders who seek to build a more inclusive and equitable society.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813069326