Maxine Goldmark Aaron became the first female President of the Pittsburgh Board of Public Education in 1966 during the integration of the city's schools, some of the most tumultuous years in the district's history. She died Feb. 4, 1996, in her Squirrel Hill home.
A graduate of Vassar College in 1924, she was active in the Parent Teacher Association in Pittsburgh, working her way through the ranks until she was appointed to the Legislative Board of the state PTA.
She served during a period of racial unrest in Pittsburgh. City residents were divided on the issue of desegregation, teachers unions were gaining momentum and support was gathering for an elected school board. Maxine served as President from 1966 to 1969 and served on the Board for 27 years until she resigned in 1975.
She not only ushered in a new era in public education, but she continued the legacy of school board service started by her father-in-law Marcus Aaron who was a former School Board President. Her daughter Elinor Langer was also among the first directors to be elected to the Board.
"She was always one of my heroes because she was always so active, involved, caring and gracious," a district spokeswoman told the Post Gazette in 1996. "I never knew her to be anything else."
Her husband Marcus was President of The Homer Laughlin China Co. in Newell, W. Va., for 48 years. He grew up in Bloomfield, was a graduate of Harvard Law School and worked for the dinnerware-manufacturing company for 65 years, taking the reins from his father and grandfather before him. He died on April 2, 1994, at the age of 93.
The Aarons' grandchildren established the fund in 1986 as a gift to their grandparents on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary. The fund provides annual awards to students in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, juniors and seniors "who best exemplify a commitment both to community service and outstanding achievement." It also recognizes outstanding or innovative professional teacher performance.
Type of Fund
- Designated