Among her many notable accomplishments, Joanne Goldsmith courageously stood up for desegregation and educational equity as a member of the Prince George’s County Board of Education during the contentious years after the Brown v. Board of Education decision. She was the first woman to chair the Maryland State Board of Education and the first woman to serve as President of the National Association of State Boards of Education.
Goldsmith’s story is found in the books Women of Achievement in Maryland History and Women of Achievement in Prince George’s County.
Goldsmith was a Maryland Women’s Heritage Center (MWHC) founding board member and a continuous MWHC supporter. According to her family at the time of her death on October 29, 2024, MWHC held a special place in Joanne’s heart.
Her life was an inspiration and a blessing to those who continue to advocate for educational equity and social justice, especially for women.