The passing of Dr Clifford Maxwell offers an opportunity to remind us all how this quiet man let his actions speak loudly to the upcoming generations. His role as the Principal of the Berkeley Institute for two decades is widely known. However, his membership in the Progressive Group, the secret organisation that initiated the 1959 Theatre Boycott, surprised many when that fact was first published 14 years ago. There were other contributions that he has made, that spoke to his passion for service to his community, as well as his humility.

An example of the measure of the man, was revealed on February 8 when Imagine Bermuda held its Annual Gathering of Community Stakeholders marking the anniversary of the first meeting of the Progressive Group in 1959. One premise of the gathering involved highlighting the example offered by the Progressive Group with the view to draw from those lessons from the past in addressing current challenges. Those opening discussions involving Clifford Maxwell and other members of the group gave us first-hand insight into how those change-agents were forward-thinking individuals.

During Clifford Maxwell’s undergraduate career studying maths at St Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, he became involved in a co-operative movement based at the school, which fostered solidarity among the farmers and fisherman facing harsh economic times in that area. That extra-curricular activity facilitated his learning about community activism and the skills required. This experience helped Clifford shape a perspective which was ‘proactive’ rather than ‘reactive’, understanding that each of us can make a difference in our own lives and that of our community.

Returning home in the early 1950s Clifford became a committed professional. At the Bermuda Technical Institute he took on added responsibilities and after school taught a class of students from the neighbouring Howard Academy; assisting that group in successfully passing their Cambridge School Certificate. Interestingly, when reminded of this assistance by two students who benefited — former Cabinet Secretary, Ken Richardson and former maths teacher, Joe Stevens, Clifford could not recall that service he had rendered. This is an example of his spirit — serve with humility.

On February 8, 1959 Clifford Maxwell was among those dozen or so residents who attended the first meeting of the secret group at the home of Roslyn and Eduoard Williams. Out of those discussions came the plan of action for the Theatre Boycott and Cliff was able to share the skills that he had developed through his community work in Canada. One tactic that he brought to the table proved key in allowing the Group to maintain their anonymity in the face of a successful effort that had mobilised hundreds of residents.

He secured the production of a ‘stamp’ with the letters ‘PG’ which they marked on all their secret press releases; thus verifying to the local press that the ‘statement’ was bona fide. When things were really tight, Clifford himself would sneak to the office of the The Recorder newspaper late at night and slip the press release under the door.

This group of unassuming residents was outfoxing the power-structure of the time. Arguably, the person who seemed the most reserved one of them all, was operating as the ‘the Pimpernel’. In addition to other contributions he was able to put out feelers to determine if the Special Branch of the Police were “getting warm”. This was done by way of Clifford’s close relationship with some key members of the clergy. Remaining anonymous maximised the leverage of the movement, resulting in formal racial barriers coming down in two short weeks, a watershed for twentieth century Bermuda.

After that success, Clifford became active in other ways. This included some work with the CUAS and their campaign which gave all Bermudians their voting rights. He also was involved in the Bermuda Union of Teachers serving as President in 1960 and would have lobbied to have the school leaving age extended from 13 up to 16 years.

In the midst of his activism he retained his passion for teaching math, both during and after school. I can attest to that drive, having been taught by him in my year at the Tech. Harry Soares, the former Minister of Health, tells a story of dropping out of Mount St Agnes, but subsequently returning to night-school at the Tech. He credits Clifford Maxwell with his getting back on track and eventually going off to university to study accounting.

After he retired as a principal, Dr Maxwell went to work at the Bermuda College in the Academic Resource Centre where students could get individualised attention. He did this up into his 70s and a colleague of his reports that on many occasions students would wait in line for his assistance rather than be served by other tutors. It would seem that these students would have been attracted to his spirit of service.

In 1999 when I was organising for the 40th anniversary for the Theatre Boycott, members of the Progressive Group would only agree to go public, if there was an absolute consensus. Dr Clifford Maxwell remained a holdout. I could see that his position was grounded in his humility. However, when he was convinced that the story was invaluable to upcoming generations, he agreed and the Group went public. I was lucky enough to have related to Dr Maxwell from a variety of perspectives.

I was his student for a time, a colleague teaching under him at The Berkeley Institute for some two decades and a community activist who worked with Clifford and the other members of the Progressive Group to share that story to the Island. All this allowed me to see first-hand the measure of the man, whose character offers an example to us all.