Elise Penfield

Elise McWilliams Penfield (born c. 1939; died July 1, 2020) was an educator, arts supporter, television producer, non-profit executive and community activist.

Penfield earned her bachelor of arts at Birmingham-Southern College, a master of arts in speech arts at the University of Alabama, and a master's in education at UAB.

During her teaching career, Penfield worked at public schools and at UAB and Birmingham-Southern. She also directed children's theater, and produced educational television programs. She served as an director for Meals on Wheels and Partnership Assistance to the Homeless, and as executive director of Leadership Birmingham. Penfield also served on the board of directors of the National Council of Churches and as vice president of the United Methodist Church's General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns. She also volunteered as a docent for the Birmingham Museum of Art.

Penfield's husband, Irvin served as provost and dean of Birmingham-Southern College from 1985 to 2004. She died in 2020 and was survived by two sons, Russell and Matthew, and by three grandchildren.

References

• "Elise Penfield" obituary (July 2, 2020) The Birmingham News