Madison made civil rights history in 1963 by adopting the first fair housing ordinance in the state
Thanks to a conservative white mayor, two forceful Black leaders, two pioneering women, a helpful city attorney, strong support from both city newspapers and a vast citizens’ support network, Madison made civil rights history in 1963 by adopting the state’s first open housing ordinance.
January 29, 2021 12:10 PM
Stu Levitan
Updated:
Marshall Colston (second from right below with his family — wife Eva and children Marty, Laura and Jacqueline, pictured left to right) took up the fight. Not everyone agreed, including the Board of Realtors, which circulated an anti-fair housing ad. (Courtesy of Capital Newspapers)