Marion Corwell-Shertzer

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Marion Corwell-Shertzer

Marion Corwell-Shertzer (July 1, 1926 – February 22, 2016[1]) was an American creative professional.

For her work on educational programming for the

Michigan Women Forward, she may be the first woman in the United States to write, produce, and star in her own syndicated television series. She was the first woman to be in management the Ford Motor Company
public relations staff, getting hired in 1966. Eight years later, Shertzer was promoted, becoming the highest-ranking woman at Ford as their personal planning manager.

She also spent time as a member of the

American Women in Radio and Television
.

Biography

Early life

Marion Peterson was born on July 1, 1926,[2] to Andrew Peterson and his wife. She attended Battle Creek Academy as a child.[3]

Peterson spent a year in

Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She was later accredited by APR, the Public Relations Society of America.[1]

Career

Known professionally as Marion Corwell,

Michigan Women Forward, she may be the first woman in the United States to write, produce, and star in her own syndicated television series.[6] After this, she was director of school relations at Dearborn Public Schools. While working there,[5] in 1964 she founded the Detroit chapter of the National School Public Relations Association, serving as the chapter's first president for two years.[6]

Corwell found work at the Ford Motor Company in 1966, when she was hired to work in management in their public relations department,[7] making her the first woman to do so.[8] Eight years later, Shertzer was promoted, becoming the highest-ranking woman at Ford. Serving as Ford's personnel planning manager, she promoted gender neutral job titles, a move that was repeated across the American auto industry.[7] She later became electronics communication planning manager.[4]

In 1968 Corwell joined the

Michigan Women's Commission,[7] she held public "Speak-Out" forums for women to discuss abuse and other problems they experienced.[9] She left Andrews University in 1978, concluding ten years as the board's only female member. Corwell-Shertzer held role on the Defense Advisory Committee on Women and Sciences from 1982 to 1984.[7]

Corwell left Ford in 1985 to found a communications company, MECA international.[4]

Awards

Marion Corwell-Shertzer received the Women in Radio and Television Lifetime Achievement Award, Association for Women in Communications Headliner Award, Michigan State University Distinguished Alumni Award, and the John W. Armstrong Community Service Award.[1] She was inducted into the Broadcasters Wall of Fame, MI Historical Society,[1] and Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.[7]

Personal life

In 1967, she was married to William J. Shertzer, and had one daughter.[5] She had married before Shertzer, and had two sons from that marriage.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Marion Shertzer - All County Funeral Home & Crematory". www.allcounty.com. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  2. ISBN 978-0-8379-0715-4
    .
  3. ^
    Newspapers.com
    .
  4. ^
    Newspapers.com
    .
  5. ^
    Newspapers.com
    .
  6. ^ a b c "Marion Corwell-Shertzer". Michigan Women Forward. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  7. ^
    ISBN 9780252097478
    .
  8. Newspapers.com
    .
  9. Newspapers.com
    .
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