Dorothy Marcy

Dorothy Marcy, born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, has led a life marked by resilience and dedication. After a brief period in Kansas, she returned to Arkansas in 1988 to care for her parents and has since resided in Fayetteville from 1991 onward. Dorothy moved to Fayetteville to pursue further education, earning a master’s degree and transitioning into a successful career as a school counselor and later establishing a thriving private practice.

Dorothy’s experiences in Arkansas have been diverse, from growing up in Fort Smith to living on a 30-acre farm in West Fork with her late husband. Her time on the farm allowed her to connect deeply with the land and her community, despite facing racial challenges as part of an interracial couple. Upon her husband's diagnosis and subsequent passing, Dorothy moved back to Fayetteville, where she has found a sense of community and peace.

Dorothy has always been an active member of her community, navigating the complexities of race relations with grace and openness. Her professional journey includes impactful work as a school counselor at Jefferson Elementary School, where she was mentored by Principal John L. Colbert, and later as a counseling supervisor for new counselors.

Throughout her life, Dorothy has emphasized the importance of storytelling and preserving black history, recognizing the need for both oral and written records to ensure that the contributions and struggles of black individuals are not forgotten. She advocates for the integration of black history into the broader narrative of American history, envisioning a future where her identity as a black woman is acknowledged and celebrated for its intrinsic value rather than being her defining characteristic.

Dorothy continues to contribute to her community in Fayetteville, where she enjoys the peaceful environment and the beauty of the Ozarks, while remaining deeply connected to her roots in Fort Smith and her family's history.