Maude Brockway
Maude Brockway | |
|---|---|
| Born | 28 February 1876 Clark County, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Died | 24 October 1959 (aged 83) Okmulgee, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Educator, milliner, social activist |
| Known for | Leadership in Black Clubwomen's Movement; founding Oklahoma Federation of Colored Women's Clubs; establishing Brockway Community Center |
Maude Brockway (February 28, 1876 – October 24, 1959) was an American educator, milliner, and social activist. Originally from Arkansas, she relocated to Indian Territory after completing her studies at Arkansas Baptist College. Her early career involved teaching near Ardmore, Chickasaw Nation, followed by the establishment of a hat-making enterprise. In 1910, Brockway settled in Oklahoma City, becoming a prominent leader within the Black Clubwomen's Movement. She played a pivotal role in founding both the Oklahoma Federation of Colored Women's Clubs and the Oklahoma City Federation of Colored Women's Clubs under the umbrella of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, holding the presidency of the city chapter from 1925 to 1950 and leading the state federation between 1936 and 1940, while also occupying national leadership positions.
In addition to her work with the Federation, Brockway assumed leadership positions in numerous church-affiliated groups at both local and state levels. She was instrumental in creating the Oklahoma Training School for Women and Girls located in Sapulpa, Oklahoma and established the Brockway Community Center in Oklahoma City. This center provided services such as well-baby clinics, educational programs, daycare facilities, and operated the second Black-owned private birth control clinic nationwide. In recognition of its historical importance to Oklahoma's Black heritage, the center was nominated in 2019 for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.
Early life
Mary Maude Sterling entered the world on February 28, 1876, in Clark County, Arkansas. Raised in Curtis, she attended the Arkadelphia Presbyterian Academy, an institution dedicated to educating children of formerly enslaved individuals. She went on to pursue higher education at Arkansas Baptist College.
Career
By 1896, Sterling had married William Brockway and moved into Indian Territory. The couple had one daughter named Inez. Brockway taught in schools located in Ardmore and Berwyn, within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation. She became involved with the Baptist Young People's Union, rising to its presidency by 1906—the same year she launched a millinery business in Ardmore. Around 1910, her family relocated to Oklahoma City where she continued her millinery work while her husband pursued real estate ventures. There, she engaged actively with the Black Clubwomen's Movement, which aimed at empowering African American communities.
In 1910, Brockway helped establish the Oklahoma Federation of Negro Women's Clubs (which later became known as the Oklahoma Federation of Colored Women's Clubs) affiliated with the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, originally founded by Mary Church Terrell. Harriet Price Jacobson served as its inaugural president; Brockway herself held this office from 1936 until 1940. The following year, she contributed to founding the Oklahoma City Chapter of this State Federation. Between 1917 and 1919, while maintaining residence in Oklahoma City, she founded and led the Oklahoma Training School for Women and Girls in Sapulpa—an institution that would later be renamed as the Drusilla Dunjee Houston Training School.
Upon returning to Oklahoma City in 1920, Brockway resumed her involvement with club activities and played a crucial role in acquiring headquarters for the City Chapter at 501 Northeast 4th Street. Her leadership extended into religious organizations such as the Order of the Eastern Star; she also presided over the Oklahoma Women's Baptist State Convention in 1918 and led the Oklahoma City Mission Society Federation in 1919. Acting as an organizer for statewide expansion efforts until 1921, she was elected second vice president of the State Federation in 1922. By 1925, Brockway had served as president of the City Chapter for a quarter-century. Utilizing her expertise in real estate, she facilitated selling their initial headquarters and secured property at 615 Northeast 4th Street. She acquired adjacent parcels valued at $15,000 and transferred them to the federation for a nominal sum of $1—this location became known as the Brockway Community Center.
In 1935, Brockway chaired the National Education Committee within the Women's Auxiliaries to the National Baptist Convention. After being elected president of the State Federation in 1936, she reorganized it into regional sections and initiated the Princess Revue program to support educational initiatives and philanthropic causes associated with the NAACP. In 1938, she launched one of America's earliest Black-owned private birth control clinics at the Brockway Community Center; it was staffed by two physicians under her direction. Additionally, she supervised a free infant health clinic, nursery services, domestic sciences training programs, and a shelter for homeless youth housed within this center. Following her term as president, Brockway continued serving as parliamentarian and statistician for the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs.
Throughout the decade of the 1940s, Brockway delivered lectures focused on advancing African American communities while maintaining active participation in church-affiliated organizations. In 1947, she spent two months touring Europe to promote Black programs alongside the Woman's Missionary Union and shared her experiences upon returning home. Although she opposed segregated schooling systems, Brockway attended groundbreaking ceremonies in 1953 for Douglass High School—the first senior high school designated for Black students in Oklahoma City.
Death and legacy
On October 24, 1959, Brockway passed away in Okmulgee, Oklahoma while participating in the state convention of the Women's Auxiliary of the state Baptist Convention. Shortly after delivering her speech, she experienced a fatal heart attack. Her funeral took place on November 5 at Calvary Baptist Church, followed by interment at Trice Hill Cemetery in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma Federation of Colored Women's Clubs paid tribute to her with a memorial service during their 50th Anniversary events. Brockway's daughter, Inez Brockway Brewer, went on to become a dedicated educator and active clubwoman. In 1968, the Brockway Community Center was moved to 1440 North Everest Avenue and later, in 2019, was nominated for the National Register of Historic Places listings in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. Bearing Brockway's name, this center stands as the sole remaining building connected to the Black Clubwoman's Movement.