We have heard stories over and over again as to her accomplishments, including how she was the first African American woman to win a political election in a major metropolitan city and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

By BOB FERGUSON

We have heard the phrase, “When E. F. Hutton talks, people listen.” Perhaps this scenario fully describes the influence that Judge Jean Murrell Capers had and still has – when she speaks, people listen.

Cleveland pioneer, Eugenia Mae Murrell, was born January 11, 1913, in Georgetown, Kentucky. She moved to Cleveland, with her family, at an early age. Although her life story has been continuously told, I will reiterate her climb.

In 1929, she graduated from the old Central High School and after college she taught school for awhile then decided to attend Cleveland Marshall School of Law. She finished in 1945 and began practicing law.

In 1949, Jean Murrell Capers made history when she was elected to the Cleveland City Council and was one of the nation’s first African American women to ever hold such an office in a major metropolitan city. After her stint in city council, attorney Capers served the city of Cleveland in numerous capacities.

In January of 1977, she was appointed as judge to The Cleveland Municipal Court by then governor, James A. Rhodes. Although she was elected several times, she made it very clear that she was never a politician but a student of American government.

At 100, she is still very active in her church, Holy Trinity Baptist, where she is a charter member and she can still be seen all around town, sharply dressed, sporting her signature hats, attending meetings, and mixing with friends.

There are very few of her kind left. And last year, when she turned 99, I said that she was as fit as a fiddle, which was to say the least. This year, at 100, the Judge Jean Murrell is as feisty as a filly and she is still going strong.

Last year, she also looked me in the eye and told me that, “President Barack Obama would be elected for a second term” and her prediction was right on point. Her insight and intuition is keen, her judgment is clear as a bell, and her quick wittedness is second to none, which is well reflected in her conversation.

Last year, the city of Cleveland named the Rockefeller Park Tennis Court after her. The sponsoring Forest City Tennis Club, founded in 1912, recently celebrated its 100th anniversary by renaming the courts after the retired judge, who has been a member of the club since 1935. She is also proud to tell that The Forest City Tennis Club is one of the oldest Black tennis clubs in the country. 

The club was established in 1912 by a group of professional men. The club later included a journeyman printer, Edward E. Murrell, the father of Eugenia Mae Murrell. Her name also rings among other great woman of Cleveland, after whom recreation centers and sport facilities are named. Notables such as Zelma George, Althea Woods, Odella Robinson and Stella Walsh are just a few to mention.

Although it seems like only yesterday, when we sat down at the old Lancer Steak House on Carnegie celebrating her 94thbirthday, since then a number of things have changed. Admittedly, the judge has slowed down and I can go on and on reflecting her blessing.

We have heard stories over and over again as to her accomplishments, including how she was the first African American woman to win a political election in a major metropolitan city and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

“Jean,” as she is known, takes pleasure in telling everyone that she and her sorority are the same age – they both will be 100 years old in 2013. Judge Capers is loved and well respected by her fellow Clevelanders and will always be. May God continue to bless her and we are grateful for the gracing of her presence. “Happy Birthday Judge! From the Call and Post.”