Marion Corwell-Shertzer
Marion Corwell-Shertzer (July 1, 1926 – February 22, 2016) was an American journalist. She is believed to 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 on the Ford Motor Company public affairs staff, getting hired in 1966. Eight years later, Shertzer was promoted, becoming the highest-ranking woman at Ford. Serving as Ford's Personnel Planning Manager, she paved the way for the first woman vice-president of the company. She promoted non-gender specific position titles (“production supervisor ” rather than “foreman”) which became commonplace at Ford. From 1969 to 1970, she was the president of American Women in Radio and Television. For eight years, she served as a member of the Michigan Women's Commission. During this time, she gave women a voice in the workplace regarding abuse, employment, and childcare through "Speak-Out" forums. From 1968 to 1978, she was the only woman member of the Andrews University Board of Trustees. For two years, she was a member of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women and Sciences. She founded, and was the first president of, the Detroit  chapter of the National School Public Relations Association. Education. Corwell-Shertzer attended Michigan State University and received MA and BA degrees in Communication Arts & Sciences. She later received an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from Andrews University. Corwell-Shertzer completed other work in Human Relations at the University of Chicago and Finance at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She was later accredited by APR, the Public Relations Society of America. 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. She was inducted into the Broadcasters Wall of Fame, MI Historical Society, and Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.