Denver teacher Marie Greenwood made significant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement in her community. (Photo credit:: The Denver Post)
Many fine educators have made significant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement in their community. One of these was Marie Greenwood, the first African American to earn tenure in Denver Public Schools. She is known for breaking down barriers to racial equality within her city.
Marie was born November 24, 1912, in Los Angeles, California. When she was 13 years old, she moved with her parents to Denver, Colorado. As a youngster, Marie faced the challenges of segregation. She was not allowed to join her middle school’s swim team, and her guidance counselor advised her that her ambition to go to college would be a waste of her parents’ money, because the only work she could expect was as a cook or a housekeeper. Despite these challenges, Marie graduated third in her class at West High School. She also garnered a scholarship to Colorado Teachers College, which is now part of the University of Northern Colorado.
Once she earned her degree in 1935, Marie returned to Denver where she accepted a position as a teacher at Whittier School. She was one of the first African-American school teachers in Denver. She is highly regarded as a pioneer for integration in the city, and for breaking down racial barriers in the school district. in fact, she was the first African American teacher to earn tenure in Denver Public Schools. Marie taught at Whittier for ten years, and then left the profession to raise her family. In 1955, Marie returned to the profession, accepting a position as the principal of all-White Newton Elementary. Although this Chalkboard Champion retired in 1974, she continued to work with children as a volunteer, right up until right before her passing.
Marie was also a published author. When she was 95 years old, she penned a volume of vignettes about teaching children facing challenges, and three years later she published her autobiography.
Marie Greenwood passed away November 15, 2019. She was 106 years old. To read more about this remarkable educator, see this story about her published by Denver Public Schools.
