Bertha M. Pinder

BERTHA MAE PINDER, first black president of the Women’s Civic League and retired Social Security manager, noted for her love of music and `gracious manner, died Tuesday, December 13, 2022, of congestive heart failure at Charter Senior Living at Woodholme Crossing in Pikesville. The long-time resident of Windsor Hills was 98. Born Bertha Mae Taylor in Rienzi, Mississippi, she was the daughter of John Will Taylor and his wife, Mary. The family moved to Midland, Pennsylvania in 1924. Mrs. Pinder discovered her love of music as a child and sang in the church choir, the school choir, and attended neighboring Beaver Valley School of the Arts for vocal training. She was a 1942 graduate of Lincoln High School. A year later, Mrs. Pinder contributed to the war effort by working as an inspector of airplane propellors at the Curtiss-Wright Corporation. During this time, she met George Pinder. They married and moved to Baltimore (Mr. Pinder’s hometown) in 1944. Mrs. Pinder began carving out a career. In 1955, she began working at the Social Security Administration as a GS3 clerk where she worked with earnings reports. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Pinder qualified as a supervisor, one of few African Americans in a supervisory position. She made her career with the Social Security Administration for 30 years and received numerous awards and recognitions. Mrs. Pinder became a devoted member of the Church of the Holy Trinity. She served as a member of the vestry, president of the Women’s group and a 50-year member of the church choir. After retiring, Mrs. Pinder continued to pursue her musical calling by attending the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Her talent led to many requests to sing at weddings and memorial services. Mrs. Pinder lent her leadership skills and interest in civic activities to the Women’s Civic League, joining the organization’s Northwest group in early the 1990s. Established in 1911, the Women’s Civic League’s mission is to improve life for the citizens of Baltimore. In 2001 she became the first woman of color to be elected president of the league. She held the position until 2013. During her tenure as president, Mrs. Pinder became dear friends with the Honorable William Donald Schaeffer who was an avid supporter of the league. It was with his association that the league attracted several new members. Mrs. Pinder enjoyed and lived the words of the Women’s Civic League’s adopted song, “Let There Be Peace on Earth” … and let it begin with me, the song continues. Mrs. Pinder valued diversity and often said that there was only one race - the human race. She was a past member of the Baltimore Black History Club and a charter member of the National Museum of African American History. Whether making strides in her career or making local history, Mrs. Pinder was most proud of being a mother to five children. She is survived by three of her children, Joy Savage, Amelia Campbell, and Gay Pinder; sisters Ruby Golding of Midland, Pennsylvania and Mary Wilson of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She is predeceased by husband George Weldon Pinder, sons Geoffrey Pinder and Brian Pinder, and brother John Taylor.

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Bertha M. Pinder

July 19, 1924 - December 13, 2022