CSU is saddened to announce the passing of Mareyjoyce Green, a longtime professor of sociology and an advocate for women’s rights and the welfare of children for over four decades. Mareyjoyce was a pioneer in the development of educational programs in women’s studies and was the founder of CSU’s Women’s Comprehensive Program, which continues today as The Mareyjoyce Green Women’s Center and Women’s Studies Program.

During her tenure at CSU, she helped conduct ground breaking research on the status of women in society, including serving as chair of Cleveland’s Women’s Equity Planning Project, a multi-organizational effort to assess challenges facing women in the region and create policy reforms to address these issues. She also directed two prominent oral history projects, the Oral History of Ethnic Women and the Women of Fenn Project, which highlighted the contributions women made to the founding of Fenn College.

She was also the cofounder, along with CSU colleague Dr. Roberta Steinbacher, of the Push to Achievement Program. A collaboration between CSU and the Cuyahoga County Department of Human Services Welfare Division, it was the only program in Ohio that enabled students receiving public assistance to earn a four-year degree. Over one hundred and thirty students received a baccalaureate degree through participation in the program.

During her long career at CSU, Mareyjoyce also served as interim vice president for minority affairs and community relations and as a member of the President’s Advisory Board on the Role and Status of Women. She was also a member of the board of the Ohio Education Collaborative on Women and Children and the Ohio Women’s Policy and Research Commission.

Mareyjoyce Green was recognized in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 9, 2009 for her many civic accomplishments, and was honored again later that month when Cleveland State University rechristened the Women's Center as The Mareyjoyce Green Women's Center.

Mareyjoyce’s family will host a celebration of her life at Calhoun's Funeral Home located at 23000 Rockside Road in Bedford, OH. Calling hours will be held Thursday, October 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by a funeral service on Friday, October 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

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