Ms. Charlotte Antoine: A Lifelong Advocate

Ms. Charlotte (far left) with Mayor Sam Yorty, 1961-1973

Meet Ms. Charlotte. Forty-six years ago, she started down a path of advocating for the well-being of others, and she’s never looked back. This month, Ms. Charlotte steps down as Vice Chair of the Mayor’s Council on African American Elders, and we honor her service in this role and beyond.

As a young woman living in Pasadena, Calif., and married to a pastor, Ms. Charlotte would spend her evenings moving church pews to make room for temporary beds. Providing services by day, her church would live out its mission by night, offering shelter to people experiencing homelessness. And Ms. Charlotte was there to provide support and warmth.

Ms. Charlotte with Mayor Bruce Harrell, 2021-2025

After moving to Seattle in 1988, she felt called to support survivors of domestic violence in her community. While she worked full-time at the University of Washington, she also took a night job answering the phones for a women’s shelter. Ms. Charlotte was the knowledgeable and comforting voice helping women make a plan for safety and navigate resources.

Retiring after 20 years of service at University of Washington, Ms. Charlotte continues to serve in her church’s leadership team. It was there that she learned about Hope Place with Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, inspiring her to volunteer by mentoring and supporting women struggling with addiction and experiencing abuse. She also joined the Mayor’s Council on African American Elders, an advocacy body committed to ensuring that African American elders can age with health and dignity in Seattle. Originally appointed in 2021 by Mayor Bruce Harrell, Ms. Charlotte has served on this body for almost 5 years and has chaired the Advocacy Committee, served as the liaison for the Digital Equity Learning Network, and championed making social connectivity a priority. She concludes her years of service in the role of Vice Chair, and her wisdom and passion will be sincerely missed.

A woman of deep faith, Ms. Charlotte embraces lifelong personal development. Recently, she has fostered her passion for poetry and written a collection of her works. She has raised three daughters who are also deeply committed to advocating for their communities; her eldest daughter recently joined the Mayor’s Council on African American Elders to continue in her mother’s footsteps.

Thank you, Ms. Charlotte, for all you have done to support your neighbors and community members—you have inspired people of all ages to engage in advocacy, and your legacy of service will continue for generations to come!

Contributor Dinah Stephens manages the Age Friendly Seattle initiative. She can be reached at agefriendly@seattle.gov.