Delorma “Dee” Goodwyn, a lifelong Annapolis resident, civic leader and driving force behind several of the city’s most meaningful memorials, has died. She was 75.
Mayor Jared Littman announced her death Sunday, calling Goodwyn “an influential and passionate member of our Annapolis community” and a personal friend.
Born in Annapolis, Goodwyn graduated from Annapolis High School and the University of Maryland. She was widely known for her commitment to public service and her ability to bring people together across differences.
A founding member of the Caucus of African American Leaders, Goodwyn led efforts to create the Guardians of the First Amendment Memorial in downtown Annapolis, honoring the journalists and staff killed in the 2018 Capital Gazette shooting. She also championed the Parren J. Mitchell memorial outside the Pip Moyer Recreation Center.
Goodwyn served on the city’s Human Relations Commission and later on Anne Arundel County’s Personnel Board. In 2019, she helped organize the Michelle Obama Awards, recognizing local women whose behind-the-scenes work strengthened the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County community during the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. She also helped set up the Emmett Till alert system in Maryland. Similar to an Amber Alert, it’s designed to notify Black elected officials, clergy and civil rights leaders about hate crimes or other racist incidents happening in Maryland.
In Aug. 2021, Goodwyn also helped organize the Freedom Summer Bus Ride. People traveled from Annapolis to Ocean City in order to protest police brutality in the area.
Littman said Goodwyn was known for her “brilliant smile, a distinctive personal style and a way of making people feel seen and welcomed. At a time when many feel our nation is divided, Dee was a uniter.”
He added that on a weekend where we reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it’s important to also honor the achievements and life of Goodwyn.
“She will be greatly missed,” Littman said.
Tributes poured in on social media, with residents remembering her as a “beautiful soul” and celebrating her lifelong service.
She is survived by her husband, George; daughter, Duewa White; and brothers De Wayne Knight, Equavian Knight and Leonard Knight.
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