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Black Women Shaping Philanthropy in Arkansas: Part 2

In recognition of Women’s History Month, we continue highlighting Black women whose work has expanded and strengthened philanthropy in Arkansas.


Maya Angelou


Maya Angelou was an internationally renowned author, poet, and activist whose early life in Stamps, Arkansas shaped both her voice and her work. Her groundbreaking autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings recounts her childhood in Arkansas and became the foundation of her career as a writer and public figure. Through her storytelling and advocacy, Angelou elevated conversations around race, identity, and human dignity, earning global recognition and numerous honors, including induction into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame.


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Lottie Lee Holt Shackelford


Lottie Lee Holt Shackelford is a political and civic leader who made history as the first woman elected mayor of Little Rock in 1987. Over the course of her career, she held leadership roles at both the local and national levels, including serving as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. Shackelford used her platform to advocate for economic opportunity, civic engagement, and increased representation in public leadership, helping shape both policy and community development in Arkansas and beyond.


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Josephine Irvin Harris Pankey


Josephine Irvin Harris Pankey was an educator, real estate developer, and philanthropist who played a key role in shaping Black community life in Pulaski County during the early twentieth century. At a time when Black families faced significant barriers to land ownership, she purchased and developed land northwest of Little Rock, helping establish what became known as the Pankey community. Through her work, Pankey created opportunities for Black families to own property and build stable lives, reflecting a form of philanthropy rooted in economic empowerment, education, and long-term community development.


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FAYE CLARKE


Faye Clarke is an educator, business leader, and philanthropist born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, who co-founded the Educate the Children Foundation alongside her husband. After witnessing the severe lack of resources in underserved school districts across the South, Clarke used her own retirement funds to help launch the foundation, which focused on providing books, equipment, and educational materials to schools in need. Under her leadership, the organization distributed millions of dollars’ worth of resources to communities across the United States and beyond, reflecting a deep commitment to educational equity and access to opportunity.


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Part 1 of this series can be found here.

 
 
 
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