Mary E. Baker (1923–1995) [1] was a notable African-American community activist and leader in Brockton, Massachusetts.
Mary E. Baker was the first African-American to work at Brockton City Hall. [2] She was a 1941 graduate of Brockton High School, [3] and commenced her working career as a legal secretary, prior to obtaining employment with the city. Her community involvement and leadership were in the areas of affordable housing and racial integration in education. [3] Baker was instrumental in the establishment of two affordable housing complexes in Brockton, as well as being associated with the implementation of integration plans for Brockton public schools. [1]
Baker was a member of one of the founding families of the African-American community of Brockton. Her father, General Baker, a descendant of slaves, [2] was the founding Deacon of Lincoln Congregational Church, established in 1897. [4] Her niece was singer Jo Baker (1948-1996), who was notable for her associations with Elvin Bishop and Stoneground. [5]
Baker commenced her post-secondary education at the age of 52, entering a Bachelor's program at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She later obtained a master's degree in education from Cambridge College. [3] In her later career, Baker was employed by Massasoit Community College for fourteen years where, as the college's first minority outreach coordinator, [6] she was instrumental in the establishment and operation of outreach programs in Boston and in southeastern Massachusetts generally. [1] An annual memorial scholarship was established in the name of Mary E. Baker at Massasoit Community College. [7]
Baker died suddenly from liver cancer in 1995, at the age of 72, during the course of planning her candidacy to enter the election for Brockton city council. [1]
In December 2008, a new Brockton school was named after her in 2008, and she was the first woman and the first African-American to receive this honor from the city. [2] [3] [6] [1]
Mary E. Baker (1923–1995) [1] was a notable African-American community activist and leader in Brockton, Massachusetts.
Mary E. Baker was the first African-American to work at Brockton City Hall. [2] She was a 1941 graduate of Brockton High School, [3] and commenced her working career as a legal secretary, prior to obtaining employment with the city. Her community involvement and leadership were in the areas of affordable housing and racial integration in education. [3] Baker was instrumental in the establishment of two affordable housing complexes in Brockton, as well as being associated with the implementation of integration plans for Brockton public schools. [1]
Baker was a member of one of the founding families of the African-American community of Brockton. Her father, General Baker, a descendant of slaves, [2] was the founding Deacon of Lincoln Congregational Church, established in 1897. [4] Her niece was singer Jo Baker (1948-1996), who was notable for her associations with Elvin Bishop and Stoneground. [5]
Baker commenced her post-secondary education at the age of 52, entering a Bachelor's program at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She later obtained a master's degree in education from Cambridge College. [3] In her later career, Baker was employed by Massasoit Community College for fourteen years where, as the college's first minority outreach coordinator, [6] she was instrumental in the establishment and operation of outreach programs in Boston and in southeastern Massachusetts generally. [1] An annual memorial scholarship was established in the name of Mary E. Baker at Massasoit Community College. [7]
Baker died suddenly from liver cancer in 1995, at the age of 72, during the course of planning her candidacy to enter the election for Brockton city council. [1]
In December 2008, a new Brockton school was named after her in 2008, and she was the first woman and the first African-American to receive this honor from the city. [2] [3] [6] [1]