Christine Vivian Meade

CHRISTINE VIVIAN COX MEADE

Christine Vivian Cox Meade was born in Memphis, Tennessee on December 15, 1905. She graduated college with a degree in Home Economics and accepted a position as Physical Education Director for Women at Rust College. She pursued further studies in physical education at Northwestern University and also studied at Columbia University in New York and the University of Washington in Seattle.

In 1940 Christine moved to Seattle. In July 1942, she became the first black professional hired by the Seattle YMCA to recruit and train volunteers for their servicemen clubs. She opened and managed the new East Madison YMCA and, once its permanent director was hired, held the position of Director of Programs.

In May, 1944 she left Seattle to join the National YMCA staff. After receiving orientation and training with the YMCA and USO she was appointed Senior Director for the Georgia Avenue YMCA-USO in Washington D.C. Following a 5-year hiatus in the housing industry as a manager of three Veteran’s Housing projects for the Los Angeles County Housing Authority, Christine returned to the YMCA-USO, and served as Branch Executive/Program Director. She was known for her leadership in the integration of staff and volunteer offices in Tucson, Arizona, Youngstown, Ohio, Wichita, Kansas and finally in Seattle as Program Director for the Seattle YMCA-USO, a position she held from 1954 until her retirement in 1973.

Christine was very active in civic affairs on both the local and state level. She served on the Washington State Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women under former Governor Rosellini, as Vice Chair for the former Washington State Civil Rights Committee for Women, as a member of the Model Cities Advisory Board, as Vice Director of Business and Professional Womens’s Club District #1, as Chair of the Job Corps Advisory Committee for YWCA in Seattle, and as a Board Member of the Seattle Council of Churches now Seattle Church Council.

Christine was a founder and charter member of the Greater Seattle Chapter of the Links, Inc., an affiliate of The Links, Inc., an international women’s organization with 274 chapters located in 41 states including the District of Columbia, Nassau, Bahamas, Frankfurt Germany, and South Africa. Performing a variety of roles as Western Area Director, Vice Director, and Chapter President, Christine was instrumental in the expansion of the organization through her work in establishing the Tacoma, Spokane and Tri-Cities chapters.

After retirement, Christine refused to rest on her laurels. She volunteered her time, with the Greater Seattle Church Council and United Way. She had an unshakeable belief in human dignity and adhered to the philosophy that human rights are achieved through creative problem solving. Christine was an individual for all seasons – a woman of noble stature and high moral character, a beacon in her community and for her family.

Christine passed away peacefully on September 22, 2007. She is survived by her daughter, Vivian Leona Meade Caver Monroe S. Caver and granddaughters Adrienne Caver-Hall Michael Hall, Denise Coleman, and Cecilia Byndloss Steven Byndloss. She leaves six great grandchildren, Candace, Miracle, Bianca, Gabrielle, Austin, and Stephanie, a large extended family, and many friends.

Founding member of Greater Seattle Chapter of the Links, Inc.

Retired from the YMCA in 1973

Service Day & Time: Saturday, October 13, 2007 St.Clements Episcopal Church, 7:00 p.m.

Remembrances: In lieu flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to The Legacy Foundation, c/o The Greater Seattle Chapter of the Links, Inc, P.O. Box 22061, Seattle, WA 98122
For more information or to share personal remarks with the family please visit Guestbook at www.bonneywatson.com