JoAnn Maxey
Jo Ann Maxey | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 46th district | |
| In office January 1, 1977 – January 3, 1979 | |
| Preceded by | Harold D. Simpson |
| Succeeded by | David Landis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 6, 1938 |
| Died | July 14, 1992 (aged 54) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Albert Maxey, Sr. |
| Children | 4 (Charlene, Michelle, Albert Jr., Aaron) |
| Education | Butler University Indiana University University of Nebraska–Lincoln |
JoAnn Maxey (March 6, 1938 – July 14, 1992) was a Democratic politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 46th district from 1977 to 1979. She was the first Black woman to serve in the Nebraska Legislature.
Early career
Maxey was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and attended Butler University and Indiana University before moving to Nebraska.[1]
In 1975, Maxey ran for the Lincoln Public Schools Board of Education.[2] Maxey placed second in the primary election,[3] and advanced to the general election, where she was ultimately elected,[4] becoming the first Black member of the Board of Education.[5] While a member of the Board of Education, she "pioneered programs in special education, outreach for dropouts and at-risk students, broader vocational activities and expansion of girls' sports opportunities."[6]
Nebraska Legislature
In 1976, State Senator Harold D. Simpson was elected to the Nebraska Public Service Commission, and Governor J. James Exon appointed Maxey as his replacement. While a member of the legislature, Maxey sponsored the Nebraska Equal Opportunity for Displaced Homemakers Act, which established centers for supporting divorced or widowed women with job counseling or retraining.[7] After Exon vetoed the bill, Maxey successfully moved to override Exon's veto.[8]
Maxey ran for re-election in 1978, and was challenged by David Landis, a fellow Democrat and an administrative law judge for the state Department of Labor.[9] In the primary election, Landis placed first over Maxey, winning 55 percent of the vote to her 45 percent,[10] and they both advanced to the general election. Landis ultimately defeated Maxey by a wide margin, 58–42 percent.[10]
Post-legislative career
In 1979, Maxey announced that she would run for the Lincoln Board of Education again,[11] and was ultimately elected unopposed.[12] She ran for re-election in 1983,[13] She was challenged by Marceil Dreier, and placed first in the primary election,[14] but was narrowly defeated in the general election, winning 48 percent of the vote to Dreyer's 52 percent.[15]
Death and legacy
Maxey died of cancer on July 14, 1992.[5] In 1995, Maxey Elementary School opened in Lincoln, and was named for her.[16][17]
Following Maxey's two-year tenure, she was the last Black woman to serve in the Legislature until the election of Brenda Council and Tanya Cook in 2008.[18]
References
- ^ Nebraska Blue Book 1976-1977 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Council. 1977. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ^ "Mrs. Maxey Announced School Board Candidacy". Lincoln Star. March 11, 1975. p. 19. Retrieved March 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Women Collected Most Votes In Board of Education Race". Lincoln Journal. April 9, 1975. p. 19. Retrieved March 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Holman, Dick (May 7, 1975). "School Post Vote Repeats Primary". Lincoln Star. p. 11. Retrieved March 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "JoAnn Maxey Dies of Cancer; Was 1st Black Female Senator". Omaha World-Herald. July 15, 1992. p. 15. Retrieved March 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Sen. JoAnn Maxey". Nebraska Legislature. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ^ "Bills passed for ADC, homemakers". Fremont Tribune. March 15, 1977. p. 2. Retrieved March 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Walton, Don (March 25, 1977). "Maxey beats Exon veto on displaced homemakers". Lincoln Star. p. 12. Retrieved March 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lincoln attorney Landis may try running for Legislature". Lincoln Journal. December 5, 1977. p. 10. Retrieved March 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Beermann, Allen J. (1978). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 9, 1978, General Election, November 7, 1978 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ^ Winters, Gordon (March 15, 1979). "Cutoff leaves 22 battling in council district races". Lincoln Star. p. 34. Retrieved March 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mayor Boosalis Earns 2nd Term in Lincoln". Omaha World-Herald. May 2, 1979. p. 1. Retrieved March 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Kennedy, Jack (February 28, 1983). "Maxey seeking re-election". Lincoln Journal. p. 14. Retrieved March 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Kennedy, Jack (April 6, 1983). "Everyone won in Lincoln school board primary". Lincoln Journal. p. 15. Retrieved March 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Kennedy, Jack (May 4, 1983). "Some change seen on Ed Board". Lincoln Journal. p. 21. Retrieved March 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Callaghan, Mike (2021). "How the Lincoln Public Schools Were Named" (PDF). Lincoln Public Schools: Library Media Services. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ^ "About Maxey Elementary". Lincoln Public Schools. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ^ Young, JoAnne (November 7, 2008). "A little history—and mystery—in Legislature". Lincoln Journal Star. p. 1A. Retrieved March 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.