Marjorie ( Marje ) Head 1922 – 2020

Marje, as she preferred to be called, was known as a leader of teachers and a civic activist for women’s issues in Broward County, Florida for over fifty years. She was born in Richmond, Virginia on March 25, 1922 and died on March 10, 2020 ,peacefully with friend, Nina Woessner and caregiver, Gail Hanson, at her bedside in Atria Willow Wood in Fort Lauderdale. Both dates occur in Women’s History Month which is appropriate as she was a known and awarded feminist. Marje graduated from Marshall College, Huntington, West Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts degree and went on to Columbia University Teachers College in New York for her Master of Arts in Teachers’ Education.

Marje has served as a teacher advocate, negotiator, union president, lobbyist and a women’s rights activist. As the President of the Broward County Classroom Teachers Association. She went out on strike for teachers, bargained the best contract in the State of Florida, advocated against gender bias in school textbooks and developed school curriculum and materials to make students more aware of women in history.
Marje went on strike in 1968 as a teacher at Nova Elementary School despite the no strike clause in her contract. The Issue: Kindergarten in all
public schools and special programs for exceptional students. For this she was fired .But she stuck by her beliefs and was rehired in 1971 . She
continued to fight until kindergarten was available in every public school system in Florida.

She also chaired a Pay Equity Task Force which successfully uncovered numerous pay inequities of Broward County workers in 1991. The task force brought about pay increases totaling one million dollars annually. After her retirement she continued to serve as an advocate for women’s
rights by her involvement in Broward County Women’s organizations.  Those included – Broward Co. Women’s History Coalition, the Broward Co.
Commission on the Status of Women, Women’s Political Caucus, Mental Health Assoc.,League of Women Voters, National Organization of Women,
President of Voice for Choice which merged with Planned Parenthood to form Planned Parenthood Voice for Choice and is currently known as Pro –
Choice Coalition of Broward Co.  In addition to her civic activities she enjoyed traveling, music, Opera, dining out, visiting with colleagues, Florida flora , milk chocolate squares and reading. She was a mentor to many – a friend to more.

Sharing of her Life Well Lived will occur at a Celebration of Life in the Fall Season in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

A donation to a women’s charity/organization of your choice in her name would be appreciated.