Cecilia Suyat Marshall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cecilia Suyat Marshall
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Cecilia (left) along with Thurgood Marshall (right), and their sons in 1965
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Cecilia Suyat
July 20, 1928 |
| Died | November 22, 2022 (aged 94) Falls Church, Virginia, U.S.
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| Occupation | Civil rights activist and historian |
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Cecilia Suyat Marshall (born July 20, 1928 – died November 22, 2022) was an important American civil rights activist and historian. She was born in Hawaii and was of Filipino descent. Cecilia Marshall was married to Thurgood Marshall, who became the first African-American Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. They were married from 1955 until his death in 1993.
Her life story is shared at the National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian. The Library of Congress also recorded her experiences with civil rights in the United States. In the 1940s and 1950s, she worked as a stenographer and private secretary for the NAACP in Washington, D.C.
Contents
A Life Dedicated to Civil Rights
Early Years and Moving to the Mainland
Cecilia Suyat, often called "Cissy," was born on July 20, 1928, in Pu'unene, on the island of Maui in Hawaii. Her parents had moved to Hawaii from the Philippines in 1910. Her father owned a printing company. Sadly, her mother passed away when Cecilia was young. She grew up in Hawaii with her many brothers and sisters.
Later, Cecilia moved to New York City to live with her aunt and uncle. This move was suggested by her father. Soon after, she began working for the NAACP in Washington, D.C..
Working for the NAACP
The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is an organization that works for equal rights for all people. One of Cecilia's first tasks was to protest a film called The Birth of a Nation at a local theater. Her efforts helped stop the film from being shown there.
While working, Cecilia also took evening classes at Columbia University. She studied to become a court stenographer. From 1948 to 1955, she became the private secretary for Dr. Gloster B. Current, who was a leader at the NAACP. She played a part in the important Brown v. Board of Education case. This case helped end segregation in schools.
Family Life and Legacy
Cecilia Suyat met Thurgood Marshall through her work. They married on December 17, 1955, after Marshall's first wife had passed away. Roy Wilkins, who was the secretary of the NAACP, led their wedding service. It took place at St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Harlem, New York. Many important figures visited their home, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.
Cecilia and Thurgood Marshall had two sons: John W. Marshall and Thurgood Marshall Jr.. John W. Marshall later became a director for the U.S. Marshals Service. Cecilia was a strong supporter of her husband. She helped him manage his strong feelings about the challenges facing the Civil Rights Movement.
Preserving History and Continuing the Fight
After her husband's death, Cecilia Suyat Marshall continued to work for civil rights. She believed there was still much work to be done. She dedicated her life to preserving history.
On June 30, 2013, she gave an oral history interview for the Library of Congress. This interview was part of the Civil Rights History Project Act of 2009. Her story is now featured at the National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian. This exhibit helps people learn about the Civil Rights Movement.
In 2004, Cecilia attended the opening of a new school building. It was for the Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning and Social Change in Harlem, New York City.
Her Passing
Cecilia Suyat Marshall passed away on November 22, 2022. She was 94 years old and died in Falls Church, Virginia. Her life showed a deep commitment to justice and equality.
See also
In Spanish: Cecilia Suyat Marshall para niños
