Marian Hamilton Spotts papers

Collection

Identifier: 346

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection includes correspondence, speeches, notes, photographs and other documents, mostly related to the Cincinnati Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs and its parent organizations—the Ohio Federation of Women’s Clubs and the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs. Notable materials include drafts of the History of the Cincinnati Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs which gives a detailed history of the organization and information about the member organizations. Other items of interest include issues of The Queen's Garden, the publication of the Ohio Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs (1925-1954); a copy of a 1955 issue of Ebony Magazine, which contained the last will and testament of Mary McLeod Bethune; and an issue of The Brown American, a publication by the Research Institute of the Bureau on Negro Affairs (1940). Also included is a group of letters, dated 1939, to Spotts’ son, Roger, from various classmates.

Dates

Other: 1939-1962

Creator

Spotts, Marian Hamilton (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The Marian Hamilton Spotts papers are available for research.

Biographical / Historical

Marian Hamilton was born in St. Marys, Ohio on September 10, 1896. Her father, Robert Hamilton, moved the family to St. Marys after serving in the 35th Massachusetts regiment in Lima, Peru. She attended elementary and high school in her hometown before graduating from Wilberforce University in 1916. She continued her studies at Chicago University and Michigan State College. Hamilton served as an Elementary school educator in Federalsburg, Maryland for a few years before becoming the Supervisor of teachers for Caroline County, Maryland. Returning to her alma mater, Marian Hamilton was employed as a Critic Teacher and History Instructor at Wilberforce University.

Hamilton was a civically engaged citizen, occupying a variety of positions in diverse associations and organizations. Mrs. Spotts served on the Board of Directors of the Riverview Neighborhood House: Hamilton County Welfare Board; on the Central Volunteer Bureau Board of Directors; on the Mayor’s Friendly Relations Committee; and as a member of the Cincinnati Public School Committee. She was also involved with the local chapter of national organizations such as the Urban League, the YWCA, the NAACP, and the Citizen’s Committee of the White House Conference on the education of children and youth.

She served three terms as the President of the Cincinnati Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs; as auditor of the Southwest District of Ohio Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, and as Chairman of the Public Relations Committee of the State Association of Colored Women’s Clubs. Marian Hamilton married Hardin A. Spotts, and had one son, Roger H. Spotts who was a serviceman of the United States Army stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Marian Hamilton Spotts was recognized as the “Woman of the Year” by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority on March 9, 1952 in honor of her lifetime of community engagement and service. Marian H. Spotts passed away on March 4, 1980.