Edythe Lewis

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.

Edythe M. Lewis
Born(1924-02-26)February 26, 1924
New York, US[1]
DiedJune 5, 2014(2014-06-05) (aged 90)
Alma materUniversity of Cincinnati
Wright State University
Central Michigan University[1]
OccupationRadio host, politician
Spouse(s)Lloyd E. Lewis Jr.

Early life and education

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 degree in Education from the University of Cincinnati[4] and then two master's degrees.[5]

Career

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

Lewis died on June 5, 2014 from complications from Alzheimer's disease.[2]

Recognition
  • 1979: Top 10 Women[3]
  • 2003: Dayton Broadcasting Hall of Fame[2]
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References
  1. "Edythe Lewis". February 18, 2004. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  2. Robinson, Amelia (June 10, 2014). "Dayton broadcast pioneer dies at 90". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  3. 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.
  4. "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.
  5. "Edythe Lewis' retirement: the ultimate contradiction". Journal Herald. March 1, 1984. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  6. Robinson, Amelia (February 22, 2013). "A Timeline: Black History in the Miami Valley 1798 to 2001". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  7. "In Memoriam". Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  8. 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.
  9. "Rhodes Makes 4 Appointments". The Marion Star. February 19, 1976. p. 11. Retrieved February 11, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. Glassman, Anthony (June 22, 2001). "Performers, politicos join in Dayton Pride events". Gay People's Chronicle. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
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