CINCINNATI — On Saturday, everyone is invited to celebrate a pioneer of civil rights in Cincinnati.
Dr. Marian Spencer, who passed away at age 99 on July 9, was the first female president of the NAACP, the first African American woman on city council and the first female vice mayor.
Her work was essential to the racial integration of Coney Island in the 1950s and in the fight for equality at the University of Cincinnati.
Now, a month after her death, family and those close to her are organizing a way for the public to celebrate her life at UC’s Fifth Third Arena. The free event begins at 3 p.m. and doors open at 1 p.m.
“What we want to do is carry on her legacy because we don’t want it to be forgotten,” said Susan Noonan, a friend and volunteer. “So we’re bringing young people in. The four young students from Winton Hills who actually wrote the book about Marian will be a part of the program.”
The celebration at Fifth Third Arena includes singing, guest speakers, authors, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Spencer family and a reception following the free event.
Theresa Reed, planning commissioner for the celebration, said it wouldn’t be a “Marian Spencer event” if the public wasn’t invited. That’s just who Dr. Spencer was.
“We’re just representing who she was and hopefully continuing that legacy, and that’s why we’re calling it ‘Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Marian A. Spencer,’” Reed said.
A statue to honor Spencer is also in the works, though its location is still being determined.
“Marian will be standing with a black child, a white child with their arms open, holding hands so other children and come in and be apart of the circle,” Noonan said.
