The city of Marietta honored long-time resident Eloise Morris Wright today for the impact she has made on our community throughout history.
Wright was born in 1909 and celebrated her 102nd birthday this year. She served as the first black manager for public housing in Marietta at Lyman Homes and Fort Hill.
She became a member of Turner Chapel AME Church in 1917 and served as music director for 42 years. Because of segregation, Wright wasn't able to attend public school after the seventh grade. She enrolled in Morris Brown College at the age of 13 and completed her education at the college in 1928.
She was married to the late Clifton Wright for 70 years and they have one daughter, Joy W. Holiday. Wright organized Marietta's first black Girl Scout troop. She also served as Worthy Matron at her lodge for three years.
Wright learned music and how to play the piano when she was 16 years old and trained more than 500 students as a music teacher for 13 years in public schools. She was instrumental in organizing the first Cobb County branch of the NAACP.
Georgia's Secretary of State honored Wright with the Outstanding Georgia Citizen Award in 1994. Kennesaw State University recognized her as one of 52 outstanding women of Cobb County.
The city proclaimed February 8 Eloise Morris Wright Day in Marietta in honor of her life-long contributions to the community.
More info: Mayor's Office, 770-794-5502
