Black History Month spotlight: Marian Spencer  

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Our final spotlight of Black History Month is a well-known figure in Cincinnati’s history of civil rights and activism, Marian Spencer. Born in Gallipolis, Ohio in 1920, Marian Alexander was a graduate of Gallia Academy and went on to study English literature at the University of Cincinnati. During her time at the university, she was involved in campus life and was an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. While here, she also met her husband, Donald Spencer. After college, the couple settled down and had two sons, Donald and Edward. 

"Every child should at least have a chance to get a good education."

Spencer’s sons were actually what sparked her passion for civil rights and equality. When the boys were young, they wanted to go to an event at Coney Island Amusement Park but were disappointed when they showed up and were escorted out because it was a segregated event. Spencer, along with 28 other witnesses filed a lawsuit and won the case to desegregate the park.  

Following this event, Spencer dedicated herself to fighting for civil rights and equality in the Cincinnati area. She spent time as the NAACP Cincinnati Chapter president, served on Cincinnati’s City Council and was a representative of Ohio’s Democratic Party at a national level. Even more than this, Spencer was passionate about equality in education and played a pivotal role in the 1974 Bronson case, which was a catalyst in desegregating Cincinnati Public Schools. Other organizations Spencer worked with include Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Planned Parenthood, Cincinnati Human Services Task Force and the U.S. Civil Rights Commission Ohio Advisory Board.  

You might recognize Marian Spencer’s name by the street that’s named after her downtown, the dormitory that’s named after her or perhaps by her well-known scholarship here at UC. To learn more about Marian Spencer’s life and work, visit the digital exhibit: 

Home

To see the full collection of Marian and Donald Spencer Papers, visit the University Archives at UC’s Archives and Rare Books Library.  

Black History Month spotlight: Lucy Oxley 

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Our second Black History Month spotlight goes to a pioneer of medicine in the Cincinnati area, Lucy Oxley – the first African American to graduate from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.  

Lucy Oxley was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1912. During her childhood, her family moved to Cincinnati, as her father was named rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. As a young girl, Oxley looked up to three of her uncles who became doctors and knew early on that she wanted to be one too. She graduated early from Woodward High School and joined the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine’s six-year undergraduate and medical program.  

Lucy Oxley, MD / Credit: Winkler Center for the History of Health Professions

During her time at UC, Oxley excelled, working hard to earn her spot in the group of top fifteen students who would have the chance to intern at General Hospital (UC Medical Center). However, she was refused an internship spot. When she questioned Dr. Alfred Friedlander about why she wasn’t given an internship, he said to her, “Lucy, you are a negro, and we don’t want you.” Oxley replied, “Well Dr. Friedlander, I wouldn’t change that for anything.” Rising above the prejudice, she went on to complete her internship at Freedmen’s Hospital in Washington, DC, and returned to Cincinnati to join her classmates for graduation on June 5, 1936.  

After graduation, Oxley became a medical director for student wellness at Bennett College in North Carolina, and then Wilberforce College here in Ohio. Following that, she had a daughter, Francine, and returned to Cincinnati where she started her general practice. In 1945 she began working in cancer research alongside fellow UC grad, George Sperti. A few years later she returned to full-time practice in family medicine where she cared for thousands of patients and families.  

Later in life, Oxley was diagnosed with lung cancer but continued to treat patients up until her passing in 1991. She is remembered today for her dedication to those she cared for and for paving the way for young African Americans who aim to make a difference in the medical field just as she did.  

To learn more about Lucy Oxley’s life and contributions to the world of medicine, visit the Source newsletter link:  https://libapps.libraries.uc.edu/source/lucy-oxley-md-a-pioneer-and-servant-leader/

Or watch Drs. Felson and Goodman interview Dr. Oxley as part of the Henry R. Winkler Center for the History of the Health Professions Oral History Series.  https://uclid-uc-edu.uc.idm.oclc.org/record=b1410475  

UCBA Library’s Research Lightning Talks

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by Lauren Wahman

Tuesday March 4, 2025  
2:30-3:30 pm 

These 5-minute presentations showcase current research of UC Blue Ash faculty, spark conversation, encourage collaboration, and inspire action within the UC Blue Ash community.  

Register: Faculty & Staff and Students 

Join us for the workshop The Visual Cento: Fonts of Inspiration

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Join the University of Cincinnati Libraries and the Elliston Poetry Room for a hands-on discussion & workshop about creating visual cento poetry.

Dior Stephens, poet and PhD graduate student in the College of Arts and Sciences, will kick things off with an introduction of the cento form. Katie Foran-Mulcahy, librarian and head of the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services Library, will provide an overview of library collections and how to navigate the stacks before sending participants to explore and collect lines and possible visual elements from various texts. D.J. Trischler, assistant professor of communication design at UC’s Ullman School of Design in the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning will then talk about found art as the canvas and give tips on how to use text and images to express meaning.

This will culminate in participants creating their own cento poetry – no prior experience required.

The event is free and open to all to attend.

the visual cento: fonts of inspiration

Frederick A. Marcotte Library’s New Items and Timely Titles

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UC Clermont Library maintains several book displays across the UC Clermont campus: one that features new materials in the library and three other throughout campus that pertain to timely issues. We feature all of the materials available in these physical displays on our digital display website and on our New Books Blog so that you can explore what is on our physical display shelves from the comfort of your home, access electronic materials, and request items from each display. Our display topics for the month of February 2025 are Black History Month, the Great Backyard Bird Count, and World Day of Social Justice.

Workshop Series: Teachers Are Makers

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CECH Library is proud to offer a variety of workshops in the MakerLab this semester in support of our pre-service teachers — as well as anyone in our UC community interested in making.

As we did in fall, the library is offering workshops on using the Cricut Maker 3 and Autopress. The Cricut Maker is ideal for cutting paper, vinyl, and more to create custom projects, while the Autopress makes heat transfer projects (i.e. t-shirts and tote bags) quick and easy. Our Intro to Cricut workshop will have two offerings in the spring term, Thursday, February 20 from 3-4:30pm and Thursday, March 27th from 1-2:30pm.

New this spring are MakerLab workshops on 3D printing and sticker making. This equipment for 3D printing and sticker printing/cutting is currently available on a pilot-only basis, but workshop attendees will have special access to these tools during the workshops. Our Tinkercad and 3D Printing workshop will be offered on Wednesday, April 9 from 3-4:30pm and our Sticker Making 101 workshop will be offered on Thursday, April 17 from 1-2:30pm.

Space is limited, so register ASAP to reserve your spot.

See you in the MakerLab!

MakerLab Spring Pilot

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The CECH Library is proud to announce that our newest MakerLab equipment is now available on a pilot basis for students of IDT 4015/7115 course, Trends in Learning Technology Innovation. Co-taught by Sarah Schroeder and Katie Foran-Mulcahy, the course focuses on making and makerspaces in K-12 environments.

IDT 4015/7115 students will assist in piloting the newest MakerLab technology acquisitions, including a Bambu x1C 3D printer, a Roland BN-20A printer/cutter, and an xTool F1 Ultra laser cutter and engraver. Students will also provide feedback on the future service model for the MakerLab. With these students’ assistance and expertise, our newest equipment available to all users in fall 2025.

As always, feel free to visit our MakerLab whenever the library is open, and view our website for a complete listing of equipment currently available for use.

See you in the MakerLab!

Black History Month spotlight: Theodore Berry

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In celebration of Black History Month, we are highlighting African American figures who were influential in their efforts to further civil rights, education and leadership in the city of Cincinnati and America.

Our first spotlight is Theodore Berry. A native of the area, Berry was born in Maysville, Kentucky in 1905. As a young adult, he attended the University of Cincinnati where he received his BA and Law degree, and later in life, his Doctor of Laws.

After his time at UC, Berry served as president for the Cincinnati Chapter of the NAACP, served as morale officer in the Office of War Information, acted as lead defense attorney for the Tuskegee Airmen and served four terms on Cincinnati’s City Council. After an unsuccessful campaign for a fifth City Council term, Berry became a representative for future president John F. Kennedy. Once Kennedy was in office, Berry continued to pioneer civil rights by bringing the NAACP into the White House and serving on its National Board of Directors.

Berry during his time as director of federal Community Actions Programs and assistant director of the Office of Economic Opportunity.

In 1963 Berry was elected for a fifth term on City Council and ended his time there when President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed him director of Federal Community Action Programs and assistant director of the Office of Economic Opportunity. Nine years later, Berry was sworn in as the first African American Mayor of Cincinnati. Berry retired from political life in 1975 and passed away 25 years later in 2000.

Through his life and work, it’s easy to see that Theodore Berry was a figure who was revered, trusted and that he made a big impact on Cincinnati and beyond. We are proud to honor him this month and always.

His papers, including correspondence, photographs, news clippings, reports, studies and minutes of meetings are located in the Archives and Rare Books Library. To learn more about Theodore Berry, visit the digital exhibit:

The Collection

Service Note: UC Libraries not renewing RefWorks subscription

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The University of Cincinnati libraries has chosen not to renew its subscription to RefWorks due to low usage and increasing costs. Access to the citation manager will end at the end of May 2025.

It is highly recommended that users switch to a new citation manager before beginning any new projects that may extend past May 2025 and prior to the May 2025 deadline. Those with questions or who need assistance with switching to a new citation manager should contact a subject librarian or review the Switching Citation Manager help page.

UC Libraries is continuing to provide support for Zotero and EndNote. More information can be found on the Citation Manager Research Guide.