McCracken, Marian, 1920-

Teacher, feminist, president of the Michigan Conference of the National Organization for Women and other women's rights and feminist organizations.

Marian McCracken has been active in the Michigan feminist movement since the 1950s and is particularly noted for her leadership role in the Michigan Conference of the National Organization for Women (NOW). McCracken graduated in 1942 from Wayne State University with a bachelor's degree in fine arts and received her master's degree from that university in 1974. Her crusade for women's rights began in earnest in 1957 when she entered the workforce after her husband was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. After earning her teaching certificate, McCracken taught for the Farmington Public Schools until her retirement in 1982.

At the beginning of her 23-year teaching career, McCracken noticed disparities in administrative opportunities for men and women in the educational system. She was also disturbed that gender stereotyping created an inequity in sports programs for girls and boys and negatively affected students' attitudes. These problems and others encouraged McCracken to become involved in the women's rights movement. She held offices in the National Education Association at the local, state, and national level, was elected president of the Michigan Education Association's Women's Caucus, and was a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

Since her retirement from teaching, McCracken has devoted much of her energy to feminist activism and advocacy. She has participated in the Democratic Party, Gray Panthers, People's Campaign for Choice, Farmington chapter of the Older Women's League, Michigan Women's Studies Association, and Michigan Women's Assembly. She served three terms as president of the Michigan Conference of NOW (1986-1989) and was elected to the NOW national board in 1988. Largely through her association with NOW, the nation's largest feminist rights organization, McCracken has fought for Medicaid funding for abortion, increased participation of women in politics, the ERA amendment, pay equity, and childcare. Her dedication to teaching and to Michigan feminism have earned her numerous awards, including the Detroit NOW "Feminist of the Year Award" (1983), a special tribute from Governor James Blanchard and the Michigan House of Representatives (1986), the AAUW's "Women's Community Enrichment Award" (1987), and induction into the Farmington Teacher Hall of Fame (1989).