Marie M. Runyon
Marie M. Runyon (born March 20, 1915) is an American political activist from New York.
Life
She was born on March 20, 1915, in Brevard, Transylvania County, North Carolina.[1] She moved to New York City in 1947.
She became active in the rent strike movement in Harlem, and entered politics as a Democrat. In 1974, she defeated the incumbent Assemblyman Jesse Gray in the Democratic primary of the 70th Assembly District by less than 200 votes, and in November was elected to the Assembly. She was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1975 and 1976. In 1976, she ran for re-nomination, but was challenged by six contenders in the Democratic primary,[2] and was defeated by Edward C. Sullivan.
Afterwards she remained active in tenants' affairs, and was Executive Director of the Harlem Restoration Project Inc.[3]
In 2002, after forty years of resistance, Marie Runyon and Columbia University agreed to end a court battle which started in 1961 when the university tried to evict Runyon from her apartment, and Runyon was not only permitted to stay, but the building was named "Runyon Court".[4]
She is active in the Granny Peace Brigade.[5]
References
- ↑ Nicholas Kulish (3 April 1996). "SPECTATOR PERSPECTIVES 'We shall not be removed' Community activist Marie Runyon is still fighting". Columbia Daily Spectator.
- ↑ Mrs. Runyon Faces Six Challengers In 70th Assembly District Primary in the New York Times on August 27, 1976 (subscription required)
- ↑ Tenant Managers in the New York Times on July 17, 1988
- ↑ Tenant Rebel Accepts Peace And an Honor in the New York Times on December 6, 2002
- ↑ Grannies Go to Washington at the Granny Peace Brigade
| New York Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jesse Gray |
New York State Assembly 70th District 1975–1976 |
Succeeded by Edward C. Sullivan |