LEGACY STORY

Maxine Barnett

Foundation:

Central Minnesota Community Foundation

Award:

2013 ATHENA Award

Fund:

Maxine Barnett Fund for Anna Marie's

Fund Established:

August 1, 2006

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Few have made as great of an impact on women’s issues in the St. Cloud community as Maxine Barnett. For more than three decades, she dedicated herself to improving the health, welfare and rights of battered women and their children.

A fighter and a friend, Maxine not only raised awareness about domestic violence, but she also developed solutions that changed and saved lives.

“Maxine’s example has been something for individuals from all walks of life to emulate,” said Molly Renslow, 2012 ATHENA Award recipient.

Maxine took Anna Marie’s Alliance from a small safe house to a progressive shelter with one of the most extensive set of wraparound services for women and children in the nation.

“Maxine’s contributions to the women and children of our community are enormous,” said Barb Carlson, 2004 ATHENA Award recipient. “They range from providing simple safety to setting standards for relationship behavior to educating police officers to challenging the criminal system.”

Maxine retired in 2013 after 33 years as executive director of Anna Marie’s.

“She saved lives and she taught others to save lives,” said Johanna Klinkner, a former Anna Marie’s client and longtime advocate at the shelter.

To further honor Maxine, the Women’s Fund renamed an education fund as the Maxine Barnett Fund for Anna Marie’s. The Fund, established in 2006, provides educational support for clients at Anna Marie’s to foster independence.