Maxine Smith papers
Scope and Contents
The Maxine Smith papers document the personal, professional, and community activities of Dr. Maxine Smith and her parents, Henry Wilmot Smith and Emily Simmons Smith. The collection consists of personal papers, professional and occupational records, business and financial materials, media, and other materials documenting the Smith family's lives and activities in Charleston, South Carolina. Materials relating to Dr. Maxine Smith document her education and career in teaching, educational administration, public relations, community outreach, consulting, and civic service. Records reflect her work with educational institutions and community organizations, as well as her professional and personal activities. Materials relating to Henry W. Smith document his personal life, business activities, financial affairs, and involvement in the Charleston community. The collection also includes media and other materials relating to his life and legacy. Materials concerning Emily Simmons Smith document her personal life, education, and professional and business activities, including her role as an entrepreneur and beauty shop owner in Charleston. The collection is arranged in three series: Dr. Maxine Smith, Henry W. Smith, and Emily Simmons Smith. The Dr. Maxine Smith series is further divided into Personal Materials and Occupational Materials. The Henry W. Smith series is divided into Personal Materials, Business and Financial Materials, and Media.
Dates
- Creation: 1990-2010
Language of Materials
Materials are in English.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright Notice
The nature of the Avery Research Center's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Avery Research Center claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.
The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
Biography - Dr. Maxine Smith
Dr. Maxine Smith, a native of Charleston, received the high school diploma at Palmer Memorial Institute in Sedalia, NC; the bachelor’s degree in English at Hampton University (VA); the master’s degree in English at Atlanta University (GA) and the doctoral degree in educational administration and supervision at South Carolina State University (Orangeburg).
Maxine has been a teacher for the Charleston County School District (CCSD), Trident Technical College (TTC), Charleston Southern University and the College of Charleston. She has also been an administrator for the College of Charleston, the American Cancer Society’s Best Chance Network Program, CCSD, Charleston’s Mayor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families and a former CEO of the Trident Urban League. Since retiring from CCSD in the summer of 2005, Dr. Smith has focused on her consulting business.
She is owner of Maximum Consultants, LLC and focuses on introducing minority businesses and other entities to public relations and community outreach strategies. Maximum's largest community engagement projects were the new Cooper River Bridge (Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge) in 2001-2005 and the Charleston County Half-Cents Sales Tax (SCDOT’s roads and highways 25-year project in 2007). Maximum is currently providing outreach services for SCDOT’s I-526 Lowcountry Corridor WEST project that will impact several neighborhoods in North Charleston. After the June 17, 2015 murders of nine members of Emanuel AME Church, Dr. Smith was the public relations liaison who handled communications with the media for families of the victims, survivors and church members.
Her involvement in volunteerism evolved during membership with The Links, Incorporated, comprised of 84 chapters across seven states and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. She joined The Charleston, SC Chapter of The Links, Incorporated in 1975 and became an alumna in 2016. In the Southern Area, she formerly served as Communications/PR Chair, Awards and Recognition Committee Chair and was a member of the Executive Committee. Maxine is also a Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Awards and honors received by Maxine are too numerous to list and are included in her curriculum vitae (available upon request).
She is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Smith (Emily), both Charleston natives. Maxine was married to Montez C. Martin, Jr. (1974 to 2001) and is the mother of Emily-Elise Martin and Montez C. Martin III.
In May of 2021, she published a book about her father titled – The Midnight Mayor of Charleston, SC | The Henry Smith Story (May 9, 1913 - April 13, 1995).
Biography - Henry Wilmot Smith
A native of Charleston, Henry Wilmot Smith was born on May 9, 1913. He attended various public schools in Charleston during his adolescence. Well versed in the social aspects of everyday life, Mr. Smith not only helped others start and improve their local businesses, he also created his own trades. He made it a priority to serve and help Charlestonians of all races and cultural backgrounds. Blurring these cultural and political boundaries, he became a highly sought after confidant thoughout his lifetime. Henry Smith, along with his wife Emily, made contributions as entrepreneurs during the segregation era of America. Considering how much they accomplished with the resources they had, is a feat which demands admiration and a closer look. Mr. Smith died on April 13, 1995, and it is well known that his memorial service illustrated how well-loved he was in the community. His daughter, Dr. Maxine Smith, published a book about his life entitled "The Midnight Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina" which can be located at the Avery Research Center.
Biography - Emily Simmons Smith
A native of Charleston, Emily Jones Simmons (b. 1911), was a former graduate of the Avery Normal Institute, class of 1929. She proceeded by attending the Apex Beauty School in New York City and was among the first African American beauty shop owners in the city of Charleston. Her sisters, Esther Simmons Fields and Edna Simmons Davenport were also graduates of the Avery Normal Institute. Mrs. Smith encouraged and led other women to build their own businesses. Her civic engagement and social affiliations were well represented during her memorial service in 1995.
Full Extent
0.63 linear feet (5 Boxes) : 4 Holinger Boxes. 1 Oversized Box.
Collection Arrangement
This collection is divided between 3 series:
1. Dr. Maxine Smith
1.1. Personal Materials
1.2. Occupational Materials
2. Henry W. Smith
2.1. Personal Materials
2.2. Business and Financial Materials
2.3. Media
3. Emily Simmons-Smith
Acquisitions Information
Materials donated by Dr. Maxine Smith, 2010-2025.
Accruals
2 accruals have been processed. Further accruals are expected.
Separated Materials
One separate book to be catalogued in the Avery Research Center Library:
"The Midnight Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina: The Henry Smith Story"
"A collection of memories from his daughter, business associates, community leaders, family and friends."
Maxine Smith, Home House Press, 2021.
Processing Information
Funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation supported the processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid.
This collection was processed by Veer Mehta, 2025.
Subject
- Martin, Maxine Smith (Person)
- Links, Inc. Charleston Chapter (Organization)
- Trident Urban League, Inc. (Organization)
- National Urban League, Inc. (Organization)
- Title
- Inventory of
- Description rules
- Dacs
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is in English
- Sponsor
- Funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation supported the processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid.
Repository Details
Part of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture Repository
125 Bull Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424 United States
843-953-7608
averyresearchcenter@cofc.edu