Jump to content

Edythe Lewis

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Citation bot (talk | contribs) at 12:50, 23 January 2021 (Misc citation tidying. | You can use this bot yourself. Report bugs here. | Suggested by Abductive | Category:African-American women in politics | via #UCB_Category 267/578). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Edythe M. Lewis
Born(1924-02-26)February 26, 1924
New York, US[1]
DiedJune 5, 2014(2014-06-05) (aged 90)
Alma materUniversity of Cincinnati
Wright State University
Central Michigan University[1]
Occupation(s)Radio host, politician
SpouseLloyd E. Lewis Jr.

Edythe M. "Delilah" Lewis (February 26, 1924 – June 5, 2014)[1][2] was the first black, female disc jockey in Dayton, Ohio, United States, in the 1950s.

Early life and education

Lewis was born Edythe Mulzac, raised in Harlem[3] and trained as a nurse at Harlem Hospital in New York.[4] Later, she earned her bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Cincinnati[4] and then two master's degrees.[5]

Career

Lewis was the first black woman to host a radio show in Dayton, Ohio, broadcasting on WING-AM as Delilah in the 1950s.[2][6] She was inducted into the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2003.[2][7] The Dayton Daily News called her a pioneer[2] and said she was a role model during a period when there were very few black people in the broadcasting industry.[1]

In 1971, she was hired by the Miami Conservancy District.[4] She later became the District's executive director.[8] In 1976, Governor James A. Rhodes appointed her to the Ohio Recreation and Resources Commission.[9] In 1979 she was named one of Dayton's Top 10 Women by the Dayton Daily News.[3] Lewis retired from the District in the early 1980s.[2]

She served on the boards of Wright State University and the Children's Medical Center, among others.[5]

In 2001, her husband Lloyd E. Lewis Jr., a member of the Dayton City Commission, died, and she was elected in a special election to fill out the remaining months of his term,[10] defeating Republican Abner Orick.

Personal life

Lewis died on June 5, 2014 from complications from Alzheimer's disease.[2]

Recognition

  • 1979: Top 10 Women[3]
  • 2003: Dayton Broadcasting Hall of Fame[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Edythe Lewis". February 18, 2004. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Robinson, Amelia (June 10, 2014). "Dayton broadcast pioneer dies at 90". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c Batz, Bob (May 17, 2003). "Radio Days: Edythe Lewis adds Dayton Broadcasting Hall of Fame to long list of accomplishments". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "Hire Mrs. Edythe Lewis for Miami Conservancy District Public Needs". The Journal News. Hamilton, Ohio. June 14, 1971. p. 22. Retrieved February 11, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "Edythe Lewis' retirement: the ultimate contradiction". Journal Herald. March 1, 1984. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  6. ^ Robinson, Amelia (February 22, 2013). "A Timeline: Black History in the Miami Valley 1798 to 2001". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  7. ^ "In Memoriam". Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  8. ^ Wilkinson, Howard (November 30, 1982). "District to Fight Ruling On River's Status". The Cincinnati Enquirer. p. 28. Retrieved February 11, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Rhodes Makes 4 Appointments". The Marion Star. February 19, 1976. p. 11. Retrieved February 11, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Glassman, Anthony (June 22, 2001). "Performers, politicos join in Dayton Pride events". Gay People's Chronicle. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Edythe_Lewis&oldid=1002229934"