Bernadine Newsom Denning (1930 – January 11, 2011) was an educator and civil rights activist recognised in the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.

Biography

Denning née Newsom was born in 1930 in Detroit. At the age of 16, she taught swimming at the Lucy Thurman branch of the Detroit YWCA. In 1951, she began work as a physical education teacher in Detroit public schools; she retired as assistant superintendent for community relations. She was also assistant professor of education at the University of Michigan. She served on the board of trustees for

Central Michigan University Central Michigan University (CMU) is a public research university in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Established in 1892 as the Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute, the private normal school became a state institution and renamed Cen ...

. Denning was director of the Title IV office for Detroit public schools and director of the human rights office for the city of Detroit. She was named director of the Office of Revenue Sharing for the United States Department of the Treasury by president Jimmy Carter. From 1975 to 1977, she was a member of the Michigan Women's Commission, also serving as vice-chair from 1976 to 1978, being appointed to chair in 1981 by governor William Milliken and serving until 1987. She was national vice-president and chairperson for the YWCA Convention, national vice president for the National Council of Negro Women and national project chairperson of

Delta Sigma Theta Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. () is a historically African American sorority. The organization was founded by college-educated women dedicated to public service with an emphasis on programs that assist the African American community. Delta ...

. In 1989, she was named to the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. She also received the National Lifetime Achievement Award from the American YWCA. As well as the Detroit Urban League's Distinguished Warrior Award, and the Spirit of Detroit Award. Denning married basketball player

Blaine Denning Blaine Denning Sr. (born Blaine Mitchell Jr.; September 19, 1930January 25, 2016) was an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball at Lawrence Technological University and was inducted into their athletic hall of fame. ...

around 1957. The couple moved to Florida around 2001. She died at the age of 80 after suffering a heart attack at home in Port St. Lucie, Florida. She was survived by her sister, Ruby Graham, as well as two grandchildren.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Denning, Bernadine Newsom 1930 births 2011 deaths Educators from Michigan 20th-century American women educators Activists for African-American civil rights Activists from Detroit African-American activists 20th-century American educators University of Michigan faculty United States Department of the Treasury officials Carter administration personnel