Dr. Bernadine Newsom Denning, 
Educator, Civil Rights Leader, Women’s Advocate
Bernadine Newsom Denning got her start in the mid-1940s at the YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit’s Lucy Thurman Branch which served the African-American community. She began career in education there by teaching swimming and fitness at the age of 14.

Nearly a decade later in 1951, she was hired by the Detroit Board of Education as a classroom teacher. She retired from Detroit School District as Assistant Superintendent for Schools Community Relations. In between, she also served as Director of the Title IV Office. Her career in education also included positions as Director of Urban Programs in Education, Director of Special Studies and Projects, and Assistant Professor of Education at the University of Michigan.

In all those positions and as Director of the Human Rights Office for the City of Detroit, Bernadine offered leadership to the civil rights movement. President Jimmy Carter appointed her as Director of the Office of Revenue sharing for the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

She served as a member of the Michigan Women’s Commission from 1975 to 1977 and was vice chair from 1976 to 1978 and appointed chair by Governor William Milliken from 1981 to 1987. She has contributed generously of her time to a number of organizations, still the YWCA remains close to her heart. She served as YWCA of the USA Board Vice-President and Chairperson of the triennial YWCA convention. She has also served the YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit in many capacities, most recently as a member of the Board of Trustees.

“Affectionately known as ‘Bern,’ she seems to await a call from the YWCA,” said Emma Peterson. “We can aways count on her for wise counsel, advice and support.”

Marguerite Hague
Advocate, Historian, Preservationist
Marguerite Hague has been involved with the YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit for most of her life. As a teen, she was a member of the Girl Reserves through the Central Branch and was active with the YWCA Oakland Branch as a young woman. She is best known at the YWCA for her long leadership of the YWCA Camp Cavell Committee and as the official YWCA historian.

Marguerite has had a life long love affair with Detroit’s fascinating history. As a preservationist, she worked tireless to maintain many of the area’s architectural gems. When that was not possible, she made it her business to salvage one-of-a-kind architectural details from buildings before they were razed. For 21 years she operated the Campus Treasure Shop on Cass Avenue, which sold those items and turned the proceeds over to Wayne State University for campus beautification projects.

“During her long service to the YWCA as a board member, Camp Cavell Chair and as chair of the 100th Anniversary, Marguerite was always our most enthusiastic cheerleader,” Emma Peterson said. “She pours her heart and soul into every project she undertakes and we are so grateful for her innumerable contributions and to count her among those dedicated to the YWCA and its Mission.”

In addition to her service mentioned above, Marquerite’s hard work on behalf of the YWCA includes a catalogued collection of YWCA historical information which was the product of her research during the 100th Anniversary. This invaluable documentation provides staff and volunteers easy access to our rich 110 year history.

Honorable Maryann Mahaffey, A.C.S.W.
President, Detroit City Council
Maryann Mahaffey has dedicated her professional career and much of her personal time to the empowerment of women and the elimination of racism. In addition, she works tirelessly for social and political change and world peace so that our national resources can be used to meet human needs.

Maryann’s affiliation with and support of the YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit spans many decades. In the mid-1970s she worked with the YWCA to open in Detroit Interim House, one of the State’s first domestic violence shelters. She remains a steadfast warrior for the rights of and services for those who are survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Maryann was elected to the Detroit City Council in 1973 and has served eight terms since then. She held the office of Council President from 1990-1997 and currently holds that office once again. This position is a testament of how greatly she is respected by Detroit voters as it is awarded to the council member receiving the most votes.

“We are so grateful for Maryann’s support of the YWCA and it’s programs,” said Emma Peterson. “She is a champion of our Mission as well as a hero and role model for women everywhere.”

Maxine Martin, Educator
Maxine Martin, born, raised and educated in Metropolitan Detroit, joined the YWCA’s Lucy Thurman Branch in 1941. She was looking for a place to have fun and found a lifetime commitment to the YWCA and its Mission. “The Lucy Thurman Branch was our haven,” she said. “It was the only place our mother would let us go without a chaperone.”

As a girl, Maxine was active in all YWCA programs; swimming, sports and Girl Reserves. Her summers were spent at Camp Norcom, the YWCA’s camp for African American girls, where she then became a counselor at age 16. Maxine was the first African American ski instructor in the United States and the first African American woman to do scuba diving in the early 1950s.

Maxine remained active in the YWCA after the Central and Lucy Thurman Branches merged into the Downtown Branch in the early 1960s. Throughout her career as an educator and Detroit Public Schools principal, she played a leadership role in the YWCA. She served as board president in two different decades as well as many other board and committee capacities. She also served the national organization as a member of the nominating committee for the YWCA of the USA board of directors, and was a Detroit delegate to national YWCA condventions on six different occasions.

“Although very busy in her active retirement, Maxine still keeps up with the YWCA,” Emma Peterson said. “She has the YWCA in her blood, and we are very grateful for her commitment.”