Maxine Smith papers

Born in Charleston, SC in 1944, Dr. Maxine Smith attended high school at Palmer Memorial Institute (Sedalia, NC) and later recieved her B.A. in English from Hampton University. Following this, she recieved her M.A from Atlanta University and an Ed.D from South Carolina State University-Orangeburg in Educational Administration and Supervision. From a young age, Dr. Smith believed that academic preparation was one of the key traits in finding success. This is a virtue that was inherited from her parents, Henry and Emily Smith. Her professional career is interwoven with her varied experience in education, public relations, community affairs, and fundraising. Dr. Smith has a wide range of occupational credentials under her belt. This includes several teaching and administrative positions at Ashley Hall School, Charleston County Schools, Trident Technical College, the College of Charleston, Charleston Southern University, and Atlanta Universtity. In 1998, Dr. Smith was appointed as President/CEO of the Trident Urban League, Inc, which is a local branch for the prestigious, National Urban League. Estabilished in 1910, the National Urban League's purpose was to create industrial opportunities for African Americans and to aid those migrating from the southern United States. Dr. Smith's activism and civil efforts extended during all of her various tenures in the lowcountry. She is known for her affiliations with Operation Understanding, the Lowcountry Children's Center, USC Institute for Families in Society, the South Carolina Links chapter, and the Mayor's Commission for Children, Youth, and Families. Additionally, while continuing to benefit others during her years of service, Dr. Smith spent much of her free time exploring her passion of writing. She wrote several informational pieces on the Cooper River Bridge, including a souveneir booklet(2005) for the inaguration of its replacement, the Ravenel Bridge. In 2021, she published "The Midnight Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina: The Henry Smith Story". This work highlights her father's importance in the city of Charleston, not only through her eyes, but through the eyes of family, friends, colleagues, and other members of the community. As Dr. Smith has stated on her own behalf, "I am driven to serve others who have not had the access to opportunities in life that were provided for me by my parents."

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" (p.2021) which can be located at the Avery Research Center.

Also 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 black 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.