[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 24, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 23, 2015

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the work and 
accomplishments of Dr. Marcella Maxwell in recognition of Women's 
History Month. On Sunday, March 22nd, I joined the 369th Harlem 
Historical Society for their annual awards dinner dance celebrating 
Women's History Month at the elegant Marina del Rey in Throgs Neck, New 
York. This annual salute pays special tribute to phenomenal women of 
color currently serving and those that have served in our Nation's 
military. I was very proud to present this year's prestigious 369th 
Historical Society Women's History Month Award to my beloved friend, 
Dr. Marcella Maxwell.
  Under the leadership of retired Major General Nathaniel James, AUS, 
the 369th Historical Society was established to collect, preserve and 
maintain artifacts, relics, books, papers, photographs, films and other 
artifacts touching on the past history of the 369th Infantry Regiment 
(also known as the Harlem Hellfighters who were given their name by 
same German soldiers they help to defeat in the liberation of France 
and Europe in World War I), its allies and affiliates and of Soldiers 
who served in the Military Services of the United States. One of the 
primary services it provides is to exhibit all gathered data to the 
public and ensure that the contributions of all African Americans and 
Minorities in the Military are recognized, preserved and accurately 
presented to the public.
  The Society also recognizes individuals who have contributed their 
time, effort and support for Women Veterans as they transition back to 
civilian life. My dear friend Dr. Marcella Maxwell is such a person who 
through her organization, the Greater New York Link's Incorporated has 
led the way in this very important effort. On Saturday, March 21, Dr. 
Marcella and the Link's Inc. joined with The Home Depot Chelsea 
neighborhood Store in New York City, under the direction of CEO Craig 
Menear, Al Manigault, Mohammed Bello, Vincent Merlo, Leana Baker, and 
Nalinee Hobert to honor women veterans, by providing ``Do it Yourself 
Workshops, a ``Career Fair'' and a special ceremony, where I presented 
congressional certificates to 32 women veterans for their service to 
our Nation. Dr. Maxwell, whose late husband served under retired 
Brigadier General George A. Jones, has been an amazing advocate and 
supporter of not only women veterans, but all veterans throughout this 
entire Nation. Every year at the NAACP National Convention she convenes 
and presides over the Association's annual Military Dinner, where one 
of our United States Armed Forces Services Divisions is featured and 
honored.
  The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit 
corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of 12,000 
professional women of color in 280 chapters located in 41 states, the 
District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It is one of 
the nation's oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of 
extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and 
ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and 
other persons of African ancestry.
  The members of The Links, Incorporated, such as, Dr. Maxwell, who is 
the National Eastern Area Chair of the Women's Issues Committee as are 
influential decision makers and opinion leaders. The Links, Inc. has 
attracted many distinguished women who are individual achievers and 
have made a difference in their communities and the world. They are 
business and civic leaders, role models, mentors, activists and 
volunteers who work towards a common vision by engaging like-minded 
organizations and individuals for partnership. Links members contribute 
more than 500,000 documented hours of community service annually--
strengthening their communities and enhancing the nation.
  In addition, Dr. Marcella Maxwell has been an Adult Educator for over 
two decades. She served as a Founding Dean at Medgar Evers College, 
CUNY where she sponsored and coordinated the first Women's History 
Month Conference at the College. Her background and experience in 
helping women to improve their status and empowering them to transform 
their lives and the lives of their families lead to her appointment as 
Chair of Mayor Koch's Commission on the Status of Women and Chair of 
the City's Human Rights Commission. She subsequently served as the 
Director of Alternative Education for the New York City Housing 
Authority where students earned their General Education Diplomas, 
making them eligible for entering College. Dr. Maxwell earned her 
Bachelors and Masters Degrees with Honors from Long Island University 
and her Ed.D Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Fordham 
University on a Ford Foundation Scholarship. She retired from the New 
York City Board of Education and states that one of the best 
experiences of her teaching career was living and working in Puerto 
Rico as one of the first 20 teachers to participate in ``Operation 
Understanding'', an exchange program, sponsored by the New York City 
Board of Education and the Puerto Rican Board of Education.
  Education was always a priority for Dr. Maxwell and her family. Her 
grandfather donated the land for the first elementary school for 
African-Americans in Cleveland, N.C.
  Today, she forges partnerships with a wide range of organizations to 
bring new scholarships and educational programs for New York City 
youth. Dr. Marcella Maxwell is a clinical supervisor of teaching 
fellows at Brooklyn College, a part of the City College of New York 
system. In this role Dr. Maxwell trains teaching fellows to foster 
their professional development, organizes collaboration between 
principals, teachers and other faculty, spearheads team building 
seminars, curriculum design and development and instructional 
strategies and methods.
  In addition to her role as an educator, Dr. Maxwell is a well-known 
advocate for women's issues, community development, organizational 
administration, fund development, curriculum development and government 
relations. Dr. Maxwell is a passionate advocate for Geriatric Education 
which allows her with several organizational partners to provide 
information, and education for seniors to help them navigate the 
challenges of Aging Gracefully.
  In the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, 
Dr. Maxwell serves as the Vice Chair of the Special Contributions Fund 
and on the Committee charged with awarding The Spingam Medal for 
outstanding achievement by an African American. Dr. Maxwell's 
philosophy and mission in life is to use her relationships and 
resources to help others in their pursuit of Civil Rights and Social 
Justice. She is truly an Ambassador for the City of New York as she 
carries out her responsibilities for The Links Incorporated and as a 
Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) representative for Delta Sigma 
Theta Sorority Incorporated at the United Nations.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me 
in recognizing Dr. Marcella Maxwell, and her efforts that have 
positively impacted the quality of life for countless citizens across 
this Nation. Her constant dedication, commitment, and spiritual 
guidance is worthy of our Nation's highest esteem.

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