Headen, Maxine
Person
Dates
- Existence: March 6, 1907- May 29, 1972
Maxine Humeston was born in 1907 in Iowa City, Iowa. She graduated from the University of Iowa and began her career as a teacher in Greeley, Colorado. After 2 years, she left for the bright lights of New York City where she pursued her interest in theater and landed a spot in a theater chorus line. She married Thomas P. Headen in 1936. In 1945, she and their two children joined her Thomas in Bremen, Germany where he was assigned as an information officer. She was instrumental in creating a network of officer's wives who assisted local German people reentering the city after fleeing the war zone. Maxine also initiated the creation and publication of a cookbook using the food items available to the people after the Berlin Airlift.
When Maxine and her family left Germany, they settled in Charles County, Maryland in 1950. The family resided at Rose Hill until they built Promise on Billingsley Road. She was immediately involved in the community, following her love of theater to the Port Tobacco Players. She began to pursue her Master's Degree from Rutger's University, receiving it sometime in the late 1950's. She was instrumental in starting the first book mobile in Charles County, driving the county roads and bring books to children that otherwise would not have had access to recreational reading. She eventually became a "traveling teacher" assigned to set up and operate libraries in Mt. Hope, Nanjemoy, Wayside, and Glasva schools. When the Walter Mitchell School opened, Maxine was appointed librarian. She was honored by students as the "Best Librarian in the World."
Throughout Maxine's career in education, she remained true to theater. Her memorable performances in such leading roles as the female lead in "Come Back Little Sheba" led the Port Tobacco Players to an award for amateur theater productions in Washington, DC.
Following her death, the Port Tobacco Theater in La Plata and the Walter Mitchell School library were dedicated to Maxine. Governor Marvin Mandel wrote a letter to the Times Crescent expressing his praise and admiration of Maxine Headen. He described Maxine as "an outstanding person who gave tirelessly of herself for the benefit of the thousands of young people with whom she worked."
When Maxine and her family left Germany, they settled in Charles County, Maryland in 1950. The family resided at Rose Hill until they built Promise on Billingsley Road. She was immediately involved in the community, following her love of theater to the Port Tobacco Players. She began to pursue her Master's Degree from Rutger's University, receiving it sometime in the late 1950's. She was instrumental in starting the first book mobile in Charles County, driving the county roads and bring books to children that otherwise would not have had access to recreational reading. She eventually became a "traveling teacher" assigned to set up and operate libraries in Mt. Hope, Nanjemoy, Wayside, and Glasva schools. When the Walter Mitchell School opened, Maxine was appointed librarian. She was honored by students as the "Best Librarian in the World."
Throughout Maxine's career in education, she remained true to theater. Her memorable performances in such leading roles as the female lead in "Come Back Little Sheba" led the Port Tobacco Players to an award for amateur theater productions in Washington, DC.
Following her death, the Port Tobacco Theater in La Plata and the Walter Mitchell School library were dedicated to Maxine. Governor Marvin Mandel wrote a letter to the Times Crescent expressing his praise and admiration of Maxine Headen. He described Maxine as "an outstanding person who gave tirelessly of herself for the benefit of the thousands of young people with whom she worked."