“Charmaine Chapman has been a warrior for the underdog…She has been innovative, creative and a vigilant advocate for this community and she has taken St. Louis to new heights in generating resources…for the people.”
That’s how many people described Charmaine Chapman, United Way of Greater St. Louis’ former president and CEO, who often commented that her arrival to St. Louis was divine intervention. She told many who crossed her path that she came from St. Paul to St. Louis on St. Valentine’s Day, so saints must have meant for her to be here. And many would agree. She was described by her family and friends as an extremely happy and positive person, with an unwavering commitment to her community. Although St. Louis was not her birthplace, her commitment to the region made people think differently.
“I believe if you live in a community you’ve got to pay attention to the quality of life and be a part of making it happen,” she said in an interview following a United Way annual fundraising campaign. Those were the beliefs she applied when she accepted the role to become the first African-American and first woman to lead United Way in St. Louis in 1994, the fifth largest United Way.
She was always invested in every community in which she lived. Prior to arriving in St. Louis, she led the United Way in her hometown of Pittsburgh, which was the eighth largest United Way in the country at the time of her death in 2001. She also served as vice president of fundraising for United Way of America, and held various positions at United Way organizations in Dayton, Ohio, and southwestern Pennsylvania.
While the two seemed to blend flawlessly, her philanthropic involvement in St. Louis and her personal life were often one in the same, as she became a servant in the community almost immediately upon her arrival. In fact, one friend stated, “Charmaine didn’t have a personal life and work life, she just had a life.” She was known as an excellent fundraiser and continuously set records, including raising a record $63.3 million for United Way of Greater St. Louis’ annual fundraising campaign in 2000. She also was integral in ushering in a presence in the community for United Way, and creating two leadership giving initiatives that are now best practices for United Way organizations across the country – the African American and Women’s Leadership Societies.
United Way of Greater St. Louis’ African American Leadership Society, now known as the Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society, has grown to become the largest giving program of its kind among all United Way’s in the country. Founded in conjunction with publisher and executive editor of The St. Louis American, Dr. Donald Suggs, the Society is also celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with a gala to honor Charmaine, as well as to promote African American leadership and philanthropy in the St. Louis region. She and Dr. Suggs believed in the power of African American giving, and sought to encourage and promote the need for greater African American philanthropy.
Outside of her work at United Way, she became actively involved in several local and national organizations, including serving on the governing boards of Gateway Chapter, The Links Inc., St. Alphonsus “Rock” Church, A.G. Edwards, Inc. and the Automobile Club of Missouri.
Charmaine believed in bringing the entire community together to celebrate St. Louis and the generosity of the residents who live here, which is the purpose of the Anniversary Gala in her honor. Following a lengthy battle with cancer, she died in 2001. She was survived by her two daughters, son-in-law and grandchildren, her brother and former husband, who also served as her caretaker at the time of her death. Many of her family members, community, political and business leaders will celebrate her 20-year legacy on Saturday, September 13 at Peabody Opera House.
For more information on attending the Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society 20th Anniversary Gala, visit www.HelpingPeople.org.
