Charlotte Maxeke
Encyclopedia
Charlotte Makgomo Maxeke (née Mannya) (7 April 1874 - 16 October 1939), a South Africa
n religious leader and political activist, was born at Ramokgopa near Polokwane
. As a young girl she sang in concerts and while on tour to Canada
and the United States
she was offered a scholarship to study at Wilberforce University
in Wilberforce, Ohio
. While at Wilberforce she met and later married Marshall Maxeke. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science
degree in 1905. She and her husband returned to South Africa and founded the Wilberforce Institute.
Charlotte became active in the African Methodist Episcopal Church
, in which she played a part in bringing to South Africa. The church later elected her president of the Women's Missionary Society. By 1919 she was active in the anti-pass laws
demonstrating which led her to found the Bantu Women's League which later became part of the African National Congress Women's League
.
Maxeke's name has been given to the former "Johannesburg General Hospital
" which is now known as the "Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital".
Charlotte died at the age of 65 in Johannesburg
.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n religious leader and political activist, was born at Ramokgopa near Polokwane
Polokwane
Polokwane, meaning "Place of Safety",is a city in the Polokwane Local Municipality and the capital of the Limpopo province, South Africa. It is also often referred to by its former name, Pietersburg. Polokwane is a major urban centre, the biggest and most important north of Gauteng. The population...
. As a young girl she sang in concerts and while on tour to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
she was offered a scholarship to study at Wilberforce University
Wilberforce University
Wilberforce University is a private, coed, liberal arts historically black university located in Wilberforce, Ohio. Affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church, it was the first college to be owned and operated by African Americans...
in Wilberforce, Ohio
Wilberforce, Ohio
Wilberforce is a census-designated place in Greene County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,579 at the 2000 census. The community was named for the English statesman William Wilberforce, who worked for abolition of slavery and achieved the end of the slave trade in the United Kingdom and...
. While at Wilberforce she met and later married Marshall Maxeke. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in 1905. She and her husband returned to South Africa and founded the Wilberforce Institute.
Charlotte became active in the African Methodist Episcopal Church
African Methodist Episcopal Church
The African Methodist Episcopal Church, usually called the A.M.E. Church, is a predominantly African American Methodist denomination based in the United States. It was founded by the Rev. Richard Allen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1816 from several black Methodist congregations in the...
, in which she played a part in bringing to South Africa. The church later elected her president of the Women's Missionary Society. By 1919 she was active in the anti-pass laws
Pass laws
Pass laws in South Africa were designed to segregate the population and limit severely the movements of the non-white populace. This legislation was one of the dominant features of the country's apartheid system. The Black population were required to carry these pass books with them when outside...
demonstrating which led her to found the Bantu Women's League which later became part of the African National Congress Women's League
African National Congress Women's League
The African National Congress Women's League is the women's wing of the African National Congress . It was founded in 1931 as the Bantu Women's League, with Charlotte Maxeke as its first president. It was integrated into the ANC during the period from 1943, when women were first admitted as...
.
Maxeke's name has been given to the former "Johannesburg General Hospital
Johannesburg General Hospital
'The Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital , nicknamed Joburg Gen is an accredited general hospital in Parktown, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. It has 1088 beds...
" which is now known as the "Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital".
Charlotte died at the age of 65 in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
.