Wackadoodle Heroes: The Story of Marion Hood
In 1959, Marion Hood was not considered for admission into Emory University's medical school because he was "a member of the Negro race."
Good news is that Marion Hood did not let that rejection letter stop him.
This according to Bing:
In 1959, Emory University rejected a medical school applicant named Marion Hood solely because he was Black. The rejection letter stated, “I am sorry I must write you that we are not authorized to consider for admission a member of the Negro race. I regret that we cannot help you.” Despite this discriminatory setback, Marion Hood persevered. He gathered his $5 application fee and went on to pursue graduate studies before attending medical school at Loyola University in Chicago. Eventually, he returned to Atlanta and established himself as a respected gynecologist and obstetrician.
More than six decades later, in 2021, Emory University’s School of Medicine formally apologized to Marion Hood during its Juneteenth programming. The university acknowledged that Hood’s rejection was based on racial prejudice, and the letter he received vividly reflects the systematic injustice of that time. Emory President Gregory L. Fenves expressed regret for denying talented students like Hood the opportunity to achieve their dreams and realize their potential. Hood, now 83 years old, accepted the apology, emphasizing that discrimination was an everyday part of life for him. He shared a poignant story from his early career, where he treated a patient who spat in his face. Despite the disrespect, Hood chose to continue caring for the patient, emphasizing the importance of respect and compassion.
Emory University desegregated three years after rejecting Hood, following its successful challenge of state laws that denied tax-exempt status to racially integrated schools. Marion Hood’s resilience and Emory’s acknowledgment serve as powerful reminders of the progress made and the ongoing work needed to address historical injustices.
Here is an image of him accepting the formal apology from Emory University. Doctor Marion’s the guy on the right.
