Dr. Josephine English (1920-2011)

Dr. Josephine English, founder of the in Fort Greene, passed away on Sunday. She was 91.

Born in Virginia on Dec. 17, 1920, English grew up in Englewood, N.J. She went on to earn a B.A. at Hunter College and an M.A. in psychology from New York University.

“I extend my deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the English family for the loss of their matriarch and a great woman," Councilwoman Letitia James, D-Fort Greene, said in a statement released Tuesday.

English moved to Brooklyn in 1956, opening up a women's health clinic. Over the years, she delivered thousands of babies, including the six daughters of civil rights icon Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz.

In 1982, English bought what was then a church located next to Adelphi Medical Center in Fort Greene and transformed the space into Paul Robeson Theater, named after the legendary African-American actor and social activist. 

In recent years, the theater struggled financially and became in dire need of repairs.

that she hoped to raise the funds to make the necessary repairs so that the theater might survive even as the neighborhood around it continued to evolve.

“We converted the building into a beautiful part of the neighborhood—people forget that!” she said. “We were here when the neighborhood was bad, we had [artistic] camps and took in the kids, some of them off the street.”

Donations or condolences can be sent to 392 Adelphi St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11238.

"Her passing is something that had to happen to appreciate the person that she was, as a woman ... especially as a black woman," said Sharon Sheppard, English's daughter.

"She accomplished so much in her life," Shahzaade Sheppard, English's 16-year-old granddaughter.  "I think it sucks that now that I'm old enough to appreciate her, she's gone."

Funeral services are planned for Tuesday.