Rev. Maxine Allen, Historian
Maxine Allen, is the first African-American woman to be ordained an Elder in the UMC in Arkansas. At 43, after returning to school, she earned a BA from Philander Smith College (Little Rock, AR) and then a MDiv from Gammon Theological Seminary (Atlanta, GA). She has served on conference staff, as a pastor, teacher, mentor of young clergy, and Associate Chief Operating Officer and Dean of the Chapel at Philander Smith College. She currently is the Pastor of St. Paul-Maumelle UMC. A fierce advocate for education and social justice for women, children, and those living in poverty; Allen has two adult children, Rev. Danita Waller-Paige and Tufara Waller-Muhammad; and a granddaughter, Leah Paige.