Maude Odum Forbes

Maude Odum Forbes was born January 24, 1936 in Alabama to Albert and Ervene (Roberson) Odum. After graduating from Eastern Michigan University, Maude became teacher at Perry School on Ypsilanti’s Harriet Street and had a family with husband Lance Forbes. Deeply involved in local education, Mrs. Forbes was the first Black woman principal in Ypsilanti when she led Fletcher School in the 1970’s. She was principal of Adams Elementary when she retired. Mrs. Forbes also had business interests in the city with her husband, including Forbes Construction Company. Maude Odum Forbes died on May 31, 2014. Mrs. Forbes is one of the women included in a mural in the city depicting Ypsilanti women painted by local high school students.