Our hearts are heavy as we share the news of the passing of our dear colleague and longtime Board member, Gertrude Makell. Gertrude was an amazing leader and dear friend, and a cornerstone of our efforts to preserve and share the history and heritage of Anne Arundel County. Her constant positivity and determination made an impression on all who knew her. She led the restoration efforts of the Galesville Rosenwald School, now the Galesville Community Center, and she was a leader again with the development of the Hot Sox Field at Wilson Park in Galesville. She was also at the forefront of the current project to create a documentary about the County’s Rosenwald Schools, entitled, “Persistence, Purpose, and Preservation: Rosenwald Schools in Anne Arundel County,” funded in part by a grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. Let us honor her legacy by continuing her good work.
Here is a partial list of Gertrude Makell’s service to the heritage area:
Board of Directors
Committees:
- African American Preservation Committee (Founding member)
- Education Committee
- Maryland Day Planning Committee
- Small Organizations Committee
Honoree: 7th Annual Heritage Awards (November 2010): Heritage Leadership Award
Published Interview (September 6, 2017): “An Interview with Gertrude Makell, President of the Galesville Community Center,” https://chesapeakecrossroads.org/an-interview-with-gertrude-makell-president-of-the-galesville-community-center/
As we pause to remember the many accomplishments of Gertrude Makell, let’s listen to her tell her own story, once again (from 2018):