Marian Spencer
Encyclopedia
Marian Alexander Spencer is a former Vice Mayor of the Cincinnati City Council in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is also the first African American woman to be elected to the Council.
. She lived in the home of her grandfather, a freed slave from West Virginia, with her twin sister, Mildred, two brothers, Harry and Vernon, and her parents. The home was built after her grandfather moved to Gallipolis. She became a member of the NAACP at age 13. In 1938 Spencer graduated from Gallia Academy High School. She was co-valedictorian
with her sister and a member of the National Honor Society
. After graduation, she moved to Cincinnati to attend the University of Cincinnati
as a scholarship student with her sister and fellow scholarship student, Mildred Malcolm. While at the University of Cincinnati, Spencer campaigned for the college prom to be open to all students. That was the start of her struggle for equality for all Greater Cincinnatians. Spencer earned a Bachelor of Arts
in English from the University of Cincinnati in 1942. In 1940, she married Donald Andrew Spencer, Sr.
, a Cincinnati teacher and real estate broker. They have two sons, Donald Jr. and Edward Alexander. They have two grandsons, Matthew and Oliver, and one granddaughter, Benita.
. The case started when Spencer’s sons heard a radio ad inviting children to Coney Island to meet a local TV personality. She telephoned to ask if the invitation applied to all children and was assured that it did; however, when Spencer added, “We are Negroes,” the Coney Island representative admitted the invitation did not extend to Negro children. Spencer was banished from the front gate by a guard brandishing a gun on the Fourth of July, 1952. Spencer filed suit and subsequently won the case, which desegregated Coney Island.
activist, working especially hard to desegregate public schools. Spencer has been an activist for seven decades. She became a life member of the NAACP, and served on the Executive Board, as chairman of both the Legal Redress and Education committees. In 1981 Spencer became the first female president of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP. She remains the only female president in the history of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP. Spencer also served as chairperson of the Community Steering Committee for Indigent Defense, as chairperson of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, and as the first African American elected president of the Woman’s City Club. She served as president of the Links, Incorporated. Spencer also served as a member of the University of Cincinnati’s Board of Trustees. In 1983, she was the first African American female elected to Cincinnati City Council and served as Vice Mayor and as a member of the Charter Party
for one term. She was a delegate to the 1988 Democratic National Convention
in Atlanta supporting Jesse Jackson
for President. Spencer’s career included numerous achievements and many awards and honors for her contributions to human service organizations and civic volunteer work. Among her awards are: Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year Award; Brotherhood Award, National Conference of Christians and Jews; YWCA Career Woman of Achievement Award; and Humanitarian Award, Freedom Heritage Foundation of Columbus, Ohio. In 1998 Spencer was named a "Great Living Cincinnatian" by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Her husband was awarded this honor in 2005. He was the first person to receive this award to have been married to a previous recipient. In 2006 she received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Cincinnati
. In 2010 the Cincinnati Public Schools renamed an elementary school in Walnut Hills, Cincinnati the Donald A. and Marian Spencer Education Center.
Marian Spencer describes herself as a fighter. "All people should be equal," she said. "There should be equality, above everything. Given equal opportunity, we all arrive at the same place."
Marian Alexander Spencer is a former Vice Mayor of the Cincinnati City Council in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is also the first African American woman to be elected to the Council.
. She lived in the home of her grandfather, a freed slave from West Virginia, with her twin sister, Mildred, two brothers, Harry and Vernon, and her parents. The home was built after her grandfather moved to Gallipolis. She became a member of the NAACP at age 13. In 1938 Spencer graduated from Gallia Academy High School. She was co-valedictorian
with her sister and a member of the National Honor Society
. After graduation, she moved to Cincinnati to attend the University of Cincinnati
as a scholarship student with her sister and fellow scholarship student, Mildred Malcolm. While at the University of Cincinnati, Spencer campaigned for the college prom to be open to all students. That was the start of her struggle for equality for all Greater Cincinnatians. Spencer earned a Bachelor of Arts
in English from the University of Cincinnati in 1942. In 1940, she married Donald Andrew Spencer, Sr.
, a Cincinnati teacher and real estate broker. They have two sons, Donald Jr. and Edward Alexander. They have two grandsons, Matthew and Oliver, and one granddaughter, Benita.
. The case started when Spencer’s sons heard a radio ad inviting children to Coney Island to meet a local TV personality. She telephoned to ask if the invitation applied to all children and was assured that it did; however, when Spencer added, “We are Negroes,” the Coney Island representative admitted the invitation did not extend to Negro children. Spencer was banished from the front gate by a guard brandishing a gun on the Fourth of July, 1952. Spencer filed suit and subsequently won the case, which desegregated Coney Island.
activist, working especially hard to desegregate public schools. Spencer has been an activist for seven decades. She became a life member of the NAACP, and served on the Executive Board, as chairman of both the Legal Redress and Education committees. In 1981 Spencer became the first female president of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP. She remains the only female president in the history of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP. Spencer also served as chairperson of the Community Steering Committee for Indigent Defense, as chairperson of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, and as the first African American elected president of the Woman’s City Club. She served as president of the Links, Incorporated. Spencer also served as a member of the University of Cincinnati’s Board of Trustees. In 1983, she was the first African American female elected to Cincinnati City Council and served as Vice Mayor and as a member of the Charter Party
for one term. She was a delegate to the 1988 Democratic National Convention
in Atlanta supporting Jesse Jackson
for President. Spencer’s career included numerous achievements and many awards and honors for her contributions to human service organizations and civic volunteer work. Among her awards are: Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year Award; Brotherhood Award, National Conference of Christians and Jews; YWCA Career Woman of Achievement Award; and Humanitarian Award, Freedom Heritage Foundation of Columbus, Ohio. Guide To 20th Century African American Resources at the Cincinnati Historical Society Library website In 1998 Spencer was named a "Great Living Cincinnatian" by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Her husband was awarded this honor in 2005. He was the first person to receive this award to have been married to a previous recipient. In 2006 she received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Cincinnati
. Google Books, Cincinnati, by Gina Ruffin Moore website In 2010 the Cincinnati Public Schools renamed an elementary school in Walnut Hills, Cincinnati the Donald A. and Marian Spencer Education Center.
Marian Spencer describes herself as a fighter. "All people should be equal," she said. "There should be equality, above everything. Given equal opportunity, we all arrive at the same place."
Marian Alexander Spencer is a former Vice Mayor of the Cincinnati City Council in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is also the first African American woman to be elected to the Council.
. She lived in the home of her grandfather, a freed slave from West Virginia, with her twin sister, Mildred, two brothers, Harry and Vernon, and her parents. The home was built after her grandfather moved to Gallipolis. She became a member of the NAACP at age 13. In 1938 Spencer graduated from Gallia Academy High School. She was co-valedictorian
with her sister and a member of the National Honor Society
. After graduation, she moved to Cincinnati to attend the University of Cincinnati
as a scholarship student with her sister and fellow scholarship student, Mildred Malcolm. While at the University of Cincinnati, Spencer campaigned for the college prom to be open to all students. That was the start of her struggle for equality for all Greater Cincinnatians. Spencer earned a Bachelor of Arts
in English from the University of Cincinnati in 1942. In 1940, she married Donald Andrew Spencer, Sr.
, a Cincinnati teacher and real estate broker. They have two sons, Donald Jr. and Edward Alexander. They have two grandsons, Matthew and Oliver, and one granddaughter, Benita.
. The case started when Spencer’s sons heard a radio ad inviting children to Coney Island to meet a local TV personality. She telephoned to ask if the invitation applied to all children and was assured that it did; however, when Spencer added, “We are Negroes,” the Coney Island representative admitted the invitation did not extend to Negro children. Spencer was banished from the front gate by a guard brandishing a gun on the Fourth of July, 1952. Spencer filed suit and subsequently won the case, which desegregated Coney Island.
activist, working especially hard to desegregate public schools. Spencer has been an activist for seven decades. She became a life member of the NAACP, and served on the Executive Board, as chairman of both the Legal Redress and Education committees. In 1981 Spencer became the first female president of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP. She remains the only female president in the history of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP. Spencer also served as chairperson of the Community Steering Committee for Indigent Defense, as chairperson of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, and as the first African American elected president of the Woman’s City Club. She served as president of the Links, Incorporated. Spencer also served as a member of the University of Cincinnati’s Board of Trustees. In 1983, she was the first African American female elected to Cincinnati City Council and served as Vice Mayor and as a member of the Charter Party
for one term. She was a delegate to the 1988 Democratic National Convention
in Atlanta supporting Jesse Jackson
for President. Spencer’s career included numerous achievements and many awards and honors for her contributions to human service organizations and civic volunteer work. Among her awards are: Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year Award; Brotherhood Award, National Conference of Christians and Jews; YWCA Career Woman of Achievement Award; and Humanitarian Award, Freedom Heritage Foundation of Columbus, Ohio. Guide To 20th Century African American Resources at the Cincinnati Historical Society Library website In 1998 Spencer was named a "Great Living Cincinnatian" by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Her husband was awarded this honor in 2005. He was the first person to receive this award to have been married to a previous recipient. In 2006 she received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Cincinnati
. Google Books, Cincinnati, by Gina Ruffin Moore website In 2010 the Cincinnati Public Schools renamed an elementary school in Walnut Hills, Cincinnati the Donald A. and Marian Spencer Education Center.
Marian Spencer describes herself as a fighter. "All people should be equal," she said. "There should be equality, above everything. Given equal opportunity, we all arrive at the same place."Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber website
Spencer successfully integrated Coney Island and the YWCA
. She was recently named a Lifetime Achiever by Applause! magazine and co-chaired the YWCA's $3.8-million fund-raising campaign in Cincinnati.
"Without difficulties that people met and overcome, we are less strong," Spencer said. "We've had our share."
on the basis of race. The Spencers sought to restrain the Defendants from allowing challengers at the polls in Hamilton County.
Marian and Donald Spencer resided in Avondale, Cincinnati, a predominantly African American neighborhood. The Spencers were legally registered African American voters who voted in ward 13, precinct H. Marian Spencer estimated that one hundred percent of the voters in her precinct were African American. The Spencers alleged that the Hamilton County Board of Elections and the Hamilton County Republican Party combined to implement a voter challenge system at the polls on Election Day that discriminated against African American voters. The United States District Court For The Southern District Of Ohio Western Division granted the Spencers' motion for a temporary restraining order.Gerhardstein & Branch Co. LPA website, Order Granting Plaintiffs' Motion For Temporary Restraining Order in the United States District Court For The Southern District Of Ohio Western Division US District Court Judge Susan J. Dlott
, appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1995, ruled against the Republican plan, noting that there is no need to have voter challengers since Ohio
already requires the presence of election judges at precincts in order to avoid voter fraud. Dlott warned in her decision that the Republican plan, if permitted, could cause “chaos, delay, intimidation and pandemonium inside the polls and in the lines outside the door.”History Commons website She noted “that 14 percent of new voters in a majority white location will face a challenger… but 97 percent of new voters in a majority African American voting location will see such a challenger.”History Commons website Dlott also said that the law permitting challengers did not sufficiently protect citizens’ fundamental right to vote.History Commons website The Spencers were represented by Cincinnati attorney Alphonse Gerhardstein.Gerhardstein & Branch Co. LPA website, Order Granting Plaintiffs' Motion For Temporary Restraining Order in the United States District Court For The Southern District Of Ohio Western Division
Personal life
In 1920 Spencer was born in the town of Gallipolis, OhioGallipolis, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,180 people, 1,847 households, and 1,004 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,156.2 people per square mile . There were 2,056 housing units at an average density of 568.7 per square mile...
. She lived in the home of her grandfather, a freed slave from West Virginia, with her twin sister, Mildred, two brothers, Harry and Vernon, and her parents. The home was built after her grandfather moved to Gallipolis. She became a member of the NAACP at age 13. In 1938 Spencer graduated from Gallia Academy High School. She was co-valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian is an academic title conferred upon the student who delivers the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony. Usually, the valedictorian is the highest ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution...
with her sister and a member of the National Honor Society
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
. After graduation, she moved to Cincinnati to attend the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
as a scholarship student with her sister and fellow scholarship student, Mildred Malcolm. While at the University of Cincinnati, Spencer campaigned for the college prom to be open to all students. That was the start of her struggle for equality for all Greater Cincinnatians. Spencer earned a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in English from the University of Cincinnati in 1942. In 1940, she married Donald Andrew Spencer, Sr.
Donald Andrew Spencer, Sr.
Donald Andrew Spencer, Sr. was one of the first African American realtors in Cincinnati, the first African American broker to join the Cincinnati Board of Realtors, the first African American broker to serve as President of the Cincinnati Board of Realtors, and also the first African American...
, a Cincinnati teacher and real estate broker. They have two sons, Donald Jr. and Edward Alexander. They have two grandsons, Matthew and Oliver, and one granddaughter, Benita.
Coney Island lawsuit
In 1952 Spencer chaired the NAACP Legal Action vs. Coney Island, Cincinnati, OhioConey Island, Cincinnati, Ohio
Coney Island is a small amusement park and waterpark located in the California neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio and Anderson Township, on the banks of the Ohio River east of Downtown Cincinnati...
. The case started when Spencer’s sons heard a radio ad inviting children to Coney Island to meet a local TV personality. She telephoned to ask if the invitation applied to all children and was assured that it did; however, when Spencer added, “We are Negroes,” the Coney Island representative admitted the invitation did not extend to Negro children. Spencer was banished from the front gate by a guard brandishing a gun on the Fourth of July, 1952. Spencer filed suit and subsequently won the case, which desegregated Coney Island.
Career
Spencer spent her entire life as a community servant and civil rightsCivil rights movement
The civil rights movement was a worldwide political movement for equality before the law occurring between approximately 1950 and 1980. In many situations it took the form of campaigns of civil resistance aimed at achieving change by nonviolent forms of resistance. In some situations it was...
activist, working especially hard to desegregate public schools. Spencer has been an activist for seven decades. She became a life member of the NAACP, and served on the Executive Board, as chairman of both the Legal Redress and Education committees. In 1981 Spencer became the first female president of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP. She remains the only female president in the history of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP. Spencer also served as chairperson of the Community Steering Committee for Indigent Defense, as chairperson of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, and as the first African American elected president of the Woman’s City Club. She served as president of the Links, Incorporated. Spencer also served as a member of the University of Cincinnati’s Board of Trustees. In 1983, she was the first African American female elected to Cincinnati City Council and served as Vice Mayor and as a member of the Charter Party
Charter Party
The Charter Party of Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, is a minor political party. The party is Cincinnati's third party. Members of this party are called "Charterites."-History:...
for one term. She was a delegate to the 1988 Democratic National Convention
1988 Democratic National Convention
The 1988 National Convention of the U.S. Democratic Party was held at The Omni in Atlanta, Georgia from July 18–July 21, 1988 to select a candidate for the 1988 United States presidential election. At the convention Gov. Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts was nominated for President and...
in Atlanta supporting Jesse Jackson
Jesse Jackson
Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. is an African-American civil rights activist and Baptist minister. He was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988 and served as shadow senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. He was the founder of both entities that merged to...
for President. Spencer’s career included numerous achievements and many awards and honors for her contributions to human service organizations and civic volunteer work. Among her awards are: Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year Award; Brotherhood Award, National Conference of Christians and Jews; YWCA Career Woman of Achievement Award; and Humanitarian Award, Freedom Heritage Foundation of Columbus, Ohio. In 1998 Spencer was named a "Great Living Cincinnatian" by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Her husband was awarded this honor in 2005. He was the first person to receive this award to have been married to a previous recipient. In 2006 she received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
. In 2010 the Cincinnati Public Schools renamed an elementary school in Walnut Hills, Cincinnati the Donald A. and Marian Spencer Education Center.
Marian Spencer describes herself as a fighter. "All people should be equal," she said. "There should be equality, above everything. Given equal opportunity, we all arrive at the same place."
Marian Alexander Spencer is a former Vice Mayor of the Cincinnati City Council in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is also the first African American woman to be elected to the Council.
Personal life
In 1920 Spencer was born in the town of Gallipolis, OhioGallipolis, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,180 people, 1,847 households, and 1,004 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,156.2 people per square mile . There were 2,056 housing units at an average density of 568.7 per square mile...
. She lived in the home of her grandfather, a freed slave from West Virginia, with her twin sister, Mildred, two brothers, Harry and Vernon, and her parents. The home was built after her grandfather moved to Gallipolis. She became a member of the NAACP at age 13. In 1938 Spencer graduated from Gallia Academy High School. She was co-valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian is an academic title conferred upon the student who delivers the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony. Usually, the valedictorian is the highest ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution...
with her sister and a member of the National Honor Society
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
. After graduation, she moved to Cincinnati to attend the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
as a scholarship student with her sister and fellow scholarship student, Mildred Malcolm. While at the University of Cincinnati, Spencer campaigned for the college prom to be open to all students. That was the start of her struggle for equality for all Greater Cincinnatians. Spencer earned a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in English from the University of Cincinnati in 1942. In 1940, she married Donald Andrew Spencer, Sr.
Donald Andrew Spencer, Sr.
Donald Andrew Spencer, Sr. was one of the first African American realtors in Cincinnati, the first African American broker to join the Cincinnati Board of Realtors, the first African American broker to serve as President of the Cincinnati Board of Realtors, and also the first African American...
, a Cincinnati teacher and real estate broker. They have two sons, Donald Jr. and Edward Alexander. They have two grandsons, Matthew and Oliver, and one granddaughter, Benita.
Coney Island lawsuit
In 1952 Spencer chaired the NAACP Legal Action vs. Coney Island, Cincinnati, OhioConey Island, Cincinnati, Ohio
Coney Island is a small amusement park and waterpark located in the California neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio and Anderson Township, on the banks of the Ohio River east of Downtown Cincinnati...
. The case started when Spencer’s sons heard a radio ad inviting children to Coney Island to meet a local TV personality. She telephoned to ask if the invitation applied to all children and was assured that it did; however, when Spencer added, “We are Negroes,” the Coney Island representative admitted the invitation did not extend to Negro children. Spencer was banished from the front gate by a guard brandishing a gun on the Fourth of July, 1952. Spencer filed suit and subsequently won the case, which desegregated Coney Island.
Career
Spencer spent her entire life as a community servant and civil rightsCivil rights movement
The civil rights movement was a worldwide political movement for equality before the law occurring between approximately 1950 and 1980. In many situations it took the form of campaigns of civil resistance aimed at achieving change by nonviolent forms of resistance. In some situations it was...
activist, working especially hard to desegregate public schools. Spencer has been an activist for seven decades. She became a life member of the NAACP, and served on the Executive Board, as chairman of both the Legal Redress and Education committees. In 1981 Spencer became the first female president of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP. She remains the only female president in the history of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP. Spencer also served as chairperson of the Community Steering Committee for Indigent Defense, as chairperson of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, and as the first African American elected president of the Woman’s City Club. She served as president of the Links, Incorporated. Spencer also served as a member of the University of Cincinnati’s Board of Trustees. In 1983, she was the first African American female elected to Cincinnati City Council and served as Vice Mayor and as a member of the Charter Party
Charter Party
The Charter Party of Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, is a minor political party. The party is Cincinnati's third party. Members of this party are called "Charterites."-History:...
for one term. She was a delegate to the 1988 Democratic National Convention
1988 Democratic National Convention
The 1988 National Convention of the U.S. Democratic Party was held at The Omni in Atlanta, Georgia from July 18–July 21, 1988 to select a candidate for the 1988 United States presidential election. At the convention Gov. Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts was nominated for President and...
in Atlanta supporting Jesse Jackson
Jesse Jackson
Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. is an African-American civil rights activist and Baptist minister. He was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988 and served as shadow senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. He was the founder of both entities that merged to...
for President. Spencer’s career included numerous achievements and many awards and honors for her contributions to human service organizations and civic volunteer work. Among her awards are: Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year Award; Brotherhood Award, National Conference of Christians and Jews; YWCA Career Woman of Achievement Award; and Humanitarian Award, Freedom Heritage Foundation of Columbus, Ohio. Guide To 20th Century African American Resources at the Cincinnati Historical Society Library website In 1998 Spencer was named a "Great Living Cincinnatian" by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Her husband was awarded this honor in 2005. He was the first person to receive this award to have been married to a previous recipient. In 2006 she received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
. Google Books, Cincinnati, by Gina Ruffin Moore website In 2010 the Cincinnati Public Schools renamed an elementary school in Walnut Hills, Cincinnati the Donald A. and Marian Spencer Education Center.
Marian Spencer describes herself as a fighter. "All people should be equal," she said. "There should be equality, above everything. Given equal opportunity, we all arrive at the same place."
Marian Alexander Spencer is a former Vice Mayor of the Cincinnati City Council in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is also the first African American woman to be elected to the Council.
Personal life
In 1920 Spencer was born in the town of Gallipolis, OhioGallipolis, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,180 people, 1,847 households, and 1,004 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,156.2 people per square mile . There were 2,056 housing units at an average density of 568.7 per square mile...
. She lived in the home of her grandfather, a freed slave from West Virginia, with her twin sister, Mildred, two brothers, Harry and Vernon, and her parents. The home was built after her grandfather moved to Gallipolis. She became a member of the NAACP at age 13. In 1938 Spencer graduated from Gallia Academy High School. She was co-valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian is an academic title conferred upon the student who delivers the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony. Usually, the valedictorian is the highest ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution...
with her sister and a member of the National Honor Society
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
. After graduation, she moved to Cincinnati to attend the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
as a scholarship student with her sister and fellow scholarship student, Mildred Malcolm. While at the University of Cincinnati, Spencer campaigned for the college prom to be open to all students. That was the start of her struggle for equality for all Greater Cincinnatians. Spencer earned a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in English from the University of Cincinnati in 1942. In 1940, she married Donald Andrew Spencer, Sr.
Donald Andrew Spencer, Sr.
Donald Andrew Spencer, Sr. was one of the first African American realtors in Cincinnati, the first African American broker to join the Cincinnati Board of Realtors, the first African American broker to serve as President of the Cincinnati Board of Realtors, and also the first African American...
, a Cincinnati teacher and real estate broker. They have two sons, Donald Jr. and Edward Alexander. They have two grandsons, Matthew and Oliver, and one granddaughter, Benita.
Coney Island lawsuit
In 1952 Spencer chaired the NAACP Legal Action vs. Coney Island, Cincinnati, OhioConey Island, Cincinnati, Ohio
Coney Island is a small amusement park and waterpark located in the California neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio and Anderson Township, on the banks of the Ohio River east of Downtown Cincinnati...
. The case started when Spencer’s sons heard a radio ad inviting children to Coney Island to meet a local TV personality. She telephoned to ask if the invitation applied to all children and was assured that it did; however, when Spencer added, “We are Negroes,” the Coney Island representative admitted the invitation did not extend to Negro children. Spencer was banished from the front gate by a guard brandishing a gun on the Fourth of July, 1952. Spencer filed suit and subsequently won the case, which desegregated Coney Island.
Career
Spencer spent her entire life as a community servant and civil rightsCivil rights movement
The civil rights movement was a worldwide political movement for equality before the law occurring between approximately 1950 and 1980. In many situations it took the form of campaigns of civil resistance aimed at achieving change by nonviolent forms of resistance. In some situations it was...
activist, working especially hard to desegregate public schools. Spencer has been an activist for seven decades. She became a life member of the NAACP, and served on the Executive Board, as chairman of both the Legal Redress and Education committees. In 1981 Spencer became the first female president of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP. She remains the only female president in the history of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP. Spencer also served as chairperson of the Community Steering Committee for Indigent Defense, as chairperson of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, and as the first African American elected president of the Woman’s City Club. She served as president of the Links, Incorporated. Spencer also served as a member of the University of Cincinnati’s Board of Trustees. In 1983, she was the first African American female elected to Cincinnati City Council and served as Vice Mayor and as a member of the Charter Party
Charter Party
The Charter Party of Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, is a minor political party. The party is Cincinnati's third party. Members of this party are called "Charterites."-History:...
for one term. She was a delegate to the 1988 Democratic National Convention
1988 Democratic National Convention
The 1988 National Convention of the U.S. Democratic Party was held at The Omni in Atlanta, Georgia from July 18–July 21, 1988 to select a candidate for the 1988 United States presidential election. At the convention Gov. Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts was nominated for President and...
in Atlanta supporting Jesse Jackson
Jesse Jackson
Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. is an African-American civil rights activist and Baptist minister. He was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988 and served as shadow senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. He was the founder of both entities that merged to...
for President. Spencer’s career included numerous achievements and many awards and honors for her contributions to human service organizations and civic volunteer work. Among her awards are: Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year Award; Brotherhood Award, National Conference of Christians and Jews; YWCA Career Woman of Achievement Award; and Humanitarian Award, Freedom Heritage Foundation of Columbus, Ohio. Guide To 20th Century African American Resources at the Cincinnati Historical Society Library website In 1998 Spencer was named a "Great Living Cincinnatian" by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Her husband was awarded this honor in 2005. He was the first person to receive this award to have been married to a previous recipient. In 2006 she received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
. Google Books, Cincinnati, by Gina Ruffin Moore website In 2010 the Cincinnati Public Schools renamed an elementary school in Walnut Hills, Cincinnati the Donald A. and Marian Spencer Education Center.
Marian Spencer describes herself as a fighter. "All people should be equal," she said. "There should be equality, above everything. Given equal opportunity, we all arrive at the same place."Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber website
Spencer successfully integrated Coney Island and the YWCA
YWCA
The YWCA USA is the United States branch of a women's membership movement that strives to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision—to eliminate racism and empower women. The YWCA is a non-profit organization, the first of which was founded in...
. She was recently named a Lifetime Achiever by Applause! magazine and co-chaired the YWCA's $3.8-million fund-raising campaign in Cincinnati.
"Without difficulties that people met and overcome, we are less strong," Spencer said. "We've had our share."
Other legal challenges
In 2004 Marian Spencer and her husband Donald Spencer, initiated litigation seeking to restrain Defendants J. Kenneth Blackwell, in his official capacity as the Secretary of State of Ohio, Intervenor Defendant State of Ohio, the Hamilton County Board of Elections and its Chair Timothy Burke and members Michael Barrett, Todd Ward, Daniel Radford and Director John Williams in their official capacities from discriminating against black voters in Hamilton County, OhioHamilton County, Ohio
As of 2000, there were 845,303 people, 346,790 households, and 212,582 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,075 people per square mile . There were 373,393 housing units at an average density of 917 per square mile...
on the basis of race. The Spencers sought to restrain the Defendants from allowing challengers at the polls in Hamilton County.
Marian and Donald Spencer resided in Avondale, Cincinnati, a predominantly African American neighborhood. The Spencers were legally registered African American voters who voted in ward 13, precinct H. Marian Spencer estimated that one hundred percent of the voters in her precinct were African American. The Spencers alleged that the Hamilton County Board of Elections and the Hamilton County Republican Party combined to implement a voter challenge system at the polls on Election Day that discriminated against African American voters. The United States District Court For The Southern District Of Ohio Western Division granted the Spencers' motion for a temporary restraining order.Gerhardstein & Branch Co. LPA website, Order Granting Plaintiffs' Motion For Temporary Restraining Order in the United States District Court For The Southern District Of Ohio Western Division US District Court Judge Susan J. Dlott
Susan J. Dlott
Susan J. Dlott is a United States federal judge.Born in Dayton, Ohio, Dlott received a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1970 and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law in 1973...
, appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1995, ruled against the Republican plan, noting that there is no need to have voter challengers since Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
already requires the presence of election judges at precincts in order to avoid voter fraud. Dlott warned in her decision that the Republican plan, if permitted, could cause “chaos, delay, intimidation and pandemonium inside the polls and in the lines outside the door.”History Commons website She noted “that 14 percent of new voters in a majority white location will face a challenger… but 97 percent of new voters in a majority African American voting location will see such a challenger.”History Commons website Dlott also said that the law permitting challengers did not sufficiently protect citizens’ fundamental right to vote.History Commons website The Spencers were represented by Cincinnati attorney Alphonse Gerhardstein.Gerhardstein & Branch Co. LPA website, Order Granting Plaintiffs' Motion For Temporary Restraining Order in the United States District Court For The Southern District Of Ohio Western Division