Keep On Fighting : The Life and Civil Rights Legacy of Marian A. Spencer

Marian Alexander Spencer was born in 1920 in the Ohio River town of Gallipolis, Ohio, one year after the “Red Summer” of 1919 that saw an upsurge in race riots and lynchings. Following the example of her grandfather, an ex-slave and community leader, Marian joined the NAACP at thirteen and grew up to achieve not only a number of civic leadership firsts in her adopted home city of Cincinnati, but a legacy of lasting civil rights victories. Of these, the best known is the desegregation of Cincinnati’s Coney Island amusement park. She also fought to desegregate Cincinnati schools and to stop the introduction of observers in black voting precincts in Ohio. Her campaign to raise awareness of industrial toxic-waste practices in minority neighborhoods was later adapted into national Superfund legislation. In 2012, Marian’s friend and colleague Dot Christenson sat down with her to record her memories. The resulting biography not only gives us the life story of remarkable leader but encapsulates many of the twentieth century’s greatest struggles and advances. Spencer’s story will prove inspirational and instructive to citizens and students alike. Marian Alexander Spencer was born in 1920 in the Ohio River town of Gallipolis, Ohio, one year after the "Red Summer' of 1919 that saw an upsurge in race riots and lynchings. Following the example of her grandfather, an ex-slave and community leader, Marian joined the NAACP at thirteen and grew up to achieve a legacy of lasting civil rights victories that would resound nationwide. Of these, the best known is the desegregation of Cincinnati's Coney Island amusement park. She also fought to integrate Cincinnati schools and to stop the introduction of observers in black voting precincts in Ohio. Her campaign to raise awareness of industrial toxic-waste practices in minority neighborhoods was later adapted into national Superfund legislation. In 2012, Marian's friend and colleague Dot Christenson sat down with her to record her memories. The resulting book not only gives us the life of an icon in the making but encapsulates many of the twentieth century's greatest struggles and advances. Her story is essential reading for anyone invested in social change, from students to leaders in the trenches. Book jacket Part I. A remarkable family in twentieth-century Gallipolis, Ohio The Alexander family Education and voting School days Part II. Becoming a citizen activist Cincinnati, another world The University of Cincinnati A lifetime partner Marriage, family, and the YWCA Homeownership, new part-time job Woman's city club and fellowship house Part III. Family life New career Family values and celebrations Family travels; at home and abroad Fox Lake Personal journeys Part IV. Desegregation suits and continuing battles Coney Island School segregation Cincinnati City Council Fair housing Reproductive rights Voting rights National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Dot Christenson records the life story of remarkable leader, Marian Alexander Spencer, who joined the NAACP at thirteen and grew up to achieve a number of civic leadership firsts and a legacy of lasting civil rights victories.