Charmaine Chapman, a native of Homewood who began a long social-service career in Pittsburgh and went on to become president and chief executive officer of the nation's seventh largest United Way died Friday of cancer in St. Louis. She was 61.
Ms. Chapman was the first woman and first African American to lead the United Way of St. Louis.
"She cared about the community and she cared about people and delighted in getting to do things to make a difference in the community," said Gary Dollar, executive director of the organization and Ms. Chapman's successor. "If you were in a room with her for 15 minutes you were her friend."
In 1994, near the beginning of Ms. Chapman's tenure in St. Louis, the organization raised about $50 million. Last year, it raised $63.3 million, the most in its 78-year history.
As recently as two weeks ago, despite her weakened condition and the pleas of United Way staffers, Ms. Chapman insisted on attending an event of the African-American Leadership Giving Initiative, said her former husband, Paul Chapman. The program, established under her leadership, encourages African Americans to donate $1,000 or more to the annual campaign. It raised $1.2 million last year. The Women's Leadership Initiative, likewise established during Ms. Chapman's tenure, raised more than $3.2 million.
Ms. Chapman was the daughter of William Austin, a caseworker supervisor for the Allegheny County Board of Assistance. She often credited him with teaching his children the importance of community service.
Ms. Chapman was a graduate of St. Paul Cathedral High School in Oakland, now known as Oakland Catholic. Ms. Chapman met her future husband while he was a student at nearby Central Catholic High School. The couple divorced after 13 years of marriage but remained friends. He cared for her in her final years.
She held a bachelor's degree in sociology from Carlow College and later a master's degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh.
She got her first job as a social worker in 1962 in the Allegheny County Department of Welfare. She left in 1969 to become director of the Homewood Brushton Mental Health/Mental Retardation Center at St. Francis Hospital. In 1972, she joined the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, serving as assistant director and associate director for planning and allocations.
Ms. Chapman left Pittsburgh to serve with the United Way inDayton, Ohio. From 1989 to 1993, Ms. Chapman headed the United Way in St. Paul, Minn. It was there that she pioneered "Success By Six," a national program which helps parents prepare their children physically, emotionally and intellectually to start school.She is survived by two daughters, Deborah Edwards of Plum and Denise Martinez of Mt. Sinai, NY; a brother, William E. Austin of New York City; and three grandchildren.
