Maxine Powell Charm Maven Of Motown

Wearing identical suits even though not performing,
The Supremes, one of the most popular of American female vocal groups.
(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Diana Ross once described Maxine Powell as: “the person who taught me everything I know”. When Powell opened up her finishing school in 1964 the purpose was to help Motown artists become class, to know what to do on stage and off stage, because they did come from humble beginnings. Though some were rude and crude Powell knew it’s not where you come from, it’s where you’re going.

November 1968: Elizabeth, the Queen Mother (1900 – 2002) goes backstage
to meet the Supremes, Engelbert Humperdinck, Frankie Howerd and
Petula Clark after a Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium.
The show is in aid of the Variety Artistes’ Benevolent Fund.
(Photo by Douglas Miller/Keystone/Getty Images)

Maxine Powell

Maxine Powell left Motown in 1969 and began teaching personal development courses from 1971 until 1985 at Wayne County Community College. On May 31, 2013, she suffered a fall and her health went steadily downhill until she died on October 14, 2013, at the age of 98 at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan.

More: Flashbak
Via