To recognize women’s history month, “Sister Speak” host Jeri Tolliver wanted to recognize two Cincinnati women who became powerful voices for their community: Marian Spencer and Marjorie Parham.
While most African-American women were limited to careers such as teaching and nursing, in the 1930’s, Marjorie was determined to have business career. After being wed to Gearld Porter, in 1954, she helped create “The Cincinnati Hearld”. The “herald” was, and is still today, a weekly Cincinnati newspaper aimed at an African-American readership in the city.
Marian Spencer has worn many hats, to make sure there was “equality for all” in Cincinnati. In 1981 Spencer became the first female president of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP. In 1983, she was the first African-American female elected to Cincinnati City Council and served as Vice Mayor. Who would’ve known that her path to being a civil rights activist, started one day in 1952 when she found out her children couldn’t go to Coney Island?
Jeri Tolliver sat down with these two ladies, listening to their stories of struggles and triumphs. If you missed the broadcast, you can listen to the entire show below.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
