Richmond’s first African American mayor dies at 91
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Henry Marsh III, Richmond's first African American mayor, has died at the age of 91. According to the Library of Virginia, Henry Marsh III was born in 1933 and elected to Richmond City Council in 1966, where he served as vice mayor from 1970 until his election in 1977 as the first African American mayor of Richmond. Henry Marsh III (Photo courtesy of the Library of Virginia) On Friday, Jan. 24, United States Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement about the passing of Marsh: “My heart is heavy with grief and full of gratitude that I had the chance to know Henry Marsh—a truly exceptional person. A born-and-raised Richmonder who became active in the civil rights movement before he even graduated from Maggie L. Walker High School, Henry never waited even for a moment to do all he could to serve and improve his community. After he graduated from Virginia Union University, earned a law degree from Howard University, and answered the call to serve in the United States Army, he returned home to work as a civil rights lawyer—tackling crucial cases relating to desegregation and equality in employment. He then made history as Richmond’s first African American mayor. As a former mayor myself, I know how tough that job is and have the deepest appreciation and admiration for how well he did it. And he didn’t stop there—he went on to serve in the Virginia Senate and later as a commissioner of the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Any single one of Henry’s accomplishments would be enough cause to be proud, but he never stopped looking for new opportunities to serve. I’m honored to have called him a friend and mentor and would never have been elected to any office if it weren’t for him. I will be praying for his family and all who knew and loved him.” Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator (D-VA) Congressman Bobby Scott also issued the following statement on Friday: “Senator Marsh was a trailblazer and a champion for the City of Richmond, as well as for civil rights across the Commonwealth of Virginia. He was on the frontlines of the fight to integrate schools in Virginia following the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education and his law firm, Hill, Tucker and Marsh, filed more employment discrimination lawsuits than any law firm in the Commonwealth. While he is widely recognized for making history as the first Black American elected Mayor of Richmond, he should also be remembered for his relentless advocacy for the city and his efforts to transform and revitalize it. I had the privilege of serving with him in the Senate of Virginia and can personally attest to his character, commitment to public service, and dedication to advocacy. I extend my condolences to his family and all those whose lives were impacted by his remarkable career in public service.” Bobby Scott, Congressman representing the third district of Virginia
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Henry Marsh III, Richmond's first African American mayor, has died at the age of 91.
According to the Library of Virginia, Henry Marsh III was born in 1933 and elected to Richmond City Council in 1966, where he served as vice mayor from 1970 until his election in 1977 as the first African American mayor of Richmond.
Henry Marsh III (Photo courtesy of the Library of Virginia)
On Friday, Jan. 24, United States Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement about the passing of Marsh:
“My heart is heavy with grief and full of gratitude that I had the chance to know Henry Marsh—a truly exceptional person. A born-and-raised Richmonder who became active in the civil rights movement before he even graduated from Maggie L. Walker High School, Henry never waited even for a moment to do all he could to serve and improve his community. After he graduated from Virginia Union University, earned a law degree from Howard University, and answered the call to serve in the United States Army, he returned home to work as a civil rights lawyer—tackling crucial cases relating to desegregation and equality in employment. He then made history as Richmond’s first African American mayor. As a former mayor myself, I know how tough that job is and have the deepest appreciation and admiration for how well he did it. And he didn’t stop there—he went on to serve in the Virginia Senate and later as a commissioner of the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Any single one of Henry’s accomplishments would be enough cause to be proud, but he never stopped looking for new opportunities to serve. I’m honored to have called him a friend and mentor and would never have been elected to any office if it weren’t for him. I will be praying for his family and all who knew and loved him.” Tim Kaine, U.S. Senator (D-VA)
Congressman Bobby Scott also issued the following statement on Friday:
“Senator Marsh was a trailblazer and a champion for the City of Richmond, as well as for civil rights across the Commonwealth of Virginia. He was on the frontlines of the fight to integrate schools in Virginia following the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education and his law firm, Hill, Tucker and Marsh, filed more employment discrimination lawsuits than any law firm in the Commonwealth. While he is widely recognized for making history as the first Black American elected Mayor of Richmond, he should also be remembered for his relentless advocacy for the city and his efforts to transform and revitalize it. I had the privilege of serving with him in the Senate of Virginia and can personally attest to his character, commitment to public service, and dedication to advocacy. I extend my condolences to his family and all those whose lives were impacted by his remarkable career in public service.” Bobby Scott, Congressman representing the third district of Virginia
