Maybelle Taylor Bennett ’70

Washington, D.C.

Maybelle Taylor Bennett launched her career in urban planning as a Town Planning Officer with the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, in Lagos, Nigeria. She received her A.B. (cum laude) in Africana Studies in 1970, and her Masters of Science in Urban Planning from Columbia University in 1972. In that same year, Maybelle traveled to Lagos, Nigeria on the invitation of the Federal Public Service Commission of Nigeria after being recruited to assist in the country’s post-war development effort. There she worked with the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation.

On returning to the United States, Maybelle engaged in policy planning with several non-profit organizations where she helped lower-income residents amplify their voices and advocate for resources they needed. Later, she was appointed to the Zoning Commission for the District of Columbia, where she served for sixteen years, during seven of which she was Chair. For almost thirty years, Maybelle brought her planning expertise to Howard University’s three DC campuses, and in 2011, she managed the development of the University's Central Campus Master Plan. In her retirement, Maybelle continued her interest in land use policy and her concern about gentrification and the displacement of lower-income residents it causes by serving on the Board of Directors for the newly formed Douglass Community Land Trust.

Maybelle answered the call to the ministry in 2008 upon entering seminary, and was Pastor of Covenant Christian Community for ten years. She continues to support that community as President of its Board of Directors and she still volunteers as a fiber arts instructor as she has for over two decades. Most recently Maybelle completed a term as Board Director for the Alumnae/i Association of Vassar College (AAVC).

Additional Vassar Volunteer Experience