Marianne Githens
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Marianne Githens (November 10, 1936 – February 27, 2018) was an American political scientist, feminist, and author. She was an Elizabeth Conolly Todd Distinguished Professor and the co-founder of the Women's Study Program at
Goucher College Goucher College ( ') is a Private university, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Towson, Maryland, United States. Founded in 1885 as a Nonsectarian, nonsecterian Women's colleges in the United States, ...
. In 1977, she co-authored the anthology '' A Portrait of Marginality''.


Early life and education

Githens was born in
New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
to Anita Keller, a schoolteacher and life-long resident of Cedarhurst,
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...
and John H. Githens, an accountant. She was raised in Cedarhurst,
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...
. She had one brother, John Lawrence. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from
Marymount Manhattan College Marymount Manhattan College is a private college on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. As of 2020, enrollment consisted of 1,571 undergraduate students with women making up 80.1% and men 19.9% of student enrollment. Columbia University Masters ...
. After graduation Githens moved to
London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
, where she lived with an emigre German Jewish family near
Hampstead Heath Hampstead Heath is an ancient heath in London, spanning . This grassy public space sits astride a sandy ridge, one of the highest points in London, running from Hampstead to Highgate, which rests on a band of London Clay. The heath is rambling ...
. Githens studied at the
London School of Economics The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), established in 1895, is a public research university in London, England, and a member institution of the University of London. The school specialises in the social sciences. Founded ...
, earning a doctorate in European political institutions and French political thought in 1960. Her dissertation was titled ''The Separation of Powers in the Working Constitution of the Fourth Republic''.


Career

Githens taught full-time at
Goucher College Goucher College ( ') is a Private university, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Towson, Maryland, United States. Founded in 1885 as a Nonsectarian, nonsecterian Women's colleges in the United States, ...
from 1965 to 2014. She taught part-time until 2016. She was recognized by peers as a "pioneer scholar" in the field of women in politics and public policy. Githens was an advocate for inclusion, diversity, and equity. This advocacy included women's rights and for urban neighborhoods in
Baltimore Baltimore is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland. With a population of 585,708 at the 2020 census and estimated at 568,271 in 2024, it is the 30th-most populous U.S. city. The Baltimore metropolitan area is the 20th-large ...
. She was a co-founder of the Women's Studies Program at Goucher and served as the chair of the political science program. In 1977, Githens and Jewel Prestage authored the anthology '' A Portrait of Marginality.'' In 1993, Githens was commissioned to write a report on women in Europe by the
European Commission The European Commission (EC) is the primary Executive (government), executive arm of the European Union (EU). It operates as a cabinet government, with a number of European Commissioner, members of the Commission (directorial system, informall ...
's Commission of the European Communities for Program Development. In 2000, Githens was named Goucher College's Elizabeth Conolly Todd Distinguished Professor due to her "leadership, scholarship, teaching and community activism." The appointment provides five years of funds to pursue research.


Personal life

Githens was a feminist and enjoyed fashion and jewelry. She married Stanley Zenith Mazer in 1973. Mazer was a dean and professor at Baltimore City Community College. The couple met during Parren Mitchell's campaign where they were both were interested in racial equality. Githens and Mazer moved into the
Mount Vernon Mount Vernon is the former residence and plantation of George Washington, a Founding Father, commander of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War, and the first president of the United States, and his wife, Martha. An American landmar ...
neighborhood in
Baltimore Baltimore is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland. With a population of 585,708 at the 2020 census and estimated at 568,271 in 2024, it is the 30th-most populous U.S. city. The Baltimore metropolitan area is the 20th-large ...
in 1994. Githens had two sons and two daughters. Githens died February 27, 2018, of a heart attack at the age of 83. She was survived by her children, brother, and five grandchildren.


Awards and honors

Githens received multiple awards from Goucher College, including the Outstanding Teaching Award, Caroline Doebler Bruckerl Faculty Award, and a Human Rights Scholar Award. She was recognized by
Marymount Manhattan College Marymount Manhattan College is a private college on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. As of 2020, enrollment consisted of 1,571 undergraduate students with women making up 80.1% and men 19.9% of student enrollment. Columbia University Masters ...
with a Distinguished Alumna Award. In 1997, Githens and her husband were presented a preservation project award from Baltimore Heritage.


Selected works


Articles

* * * *


Books

* * * * Reviews of ''Abortion Politics: Public Policy in Cross-Cultural Perspective'': * * *


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Githens, Marianne 1936 births 2018 deaths 20th-century American non-fiction writers 20th-century American women writers 21st-century American non-fiction writers 21st-century American women writers Activists from Maryland Activists from New York City Alumni of the London School of Economics American feminist writers American women political scientists American political scientists American women academics American women's rights activists Goucher College faculty and staff Marymount Manhattan College alumni People from Baltimore People from Cedarhurst, New York Scientists from Baltimore Scientists from New York City Writers from Baltimore American women non-fiction writers