Edythe Lewis
Edythe M. Lewis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | February 26, 1924 New York, US[1] |
| Died | June 5, 2014 (aged 90) |
| Alma mater | University of Cincinnati Wright State University Central Michigan University[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Radio host, politician |
| Spouse | Lloyd 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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
Lewis died on June 5, 2014, from complications from Alzheimer's disease.[2]
Recognition[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "Edythe Lewis". February 18, 2004. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Edythe Lewis' retirement: the ultimate contradiction". Journal Herald. March 1, 1984. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
- ^ Robinson, Amelia (February 22, 2013). "A Timeline: Black History in the Miami Valley 1798 to 2001". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
- ^ "In Memoriam". Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Rhodes Makes 4 Appointments". The Marion Star. February 19, 1976. p. 11. Retrieved February 11, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Glassman, Anthony (June 22, 2001). "Performers, politicos join in Dayton Pride events". Gay People's Chronicle. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
- 1924 births
- 2014 deaths
- Mass media people from Dayton, Ohio
- American radio personalities
- African-American radio personalities
- Dayton City Council members
- 21st-century American women politicians
- 21st-century American politicians
- African-American women in politics
- African-American people in Ohio politics
- People from Harlem
- University of Cincinnati alumni
- Wright State University alumni
- Central Michigan University alumni
- American women DJs
- African-American DJs
- Deaths from Alzheimer's disease in the United States
- African-American women musicians
- 21st-century African-American women
- 21st-century African-American politicians
- 20th-century African-American people
- 20th-century African-American women