Mary Cowser Alexander, a key figure in Black history, has passed away at the age of 90. She was an educator and made history in 1955 as the first Black woman to model in a Coca-Cola advertisement.
Born to farmers in Ballplay, Alabama, Alexander pursued higher education at Clark College in Atlanta. Her time there not only shaped her future as an educator but also led her to a groundbreaking opportunity in advertising.
Her historic appearance came when Coca-Cola sought to appeal to Black consumers. According to AL.com, Alexander’s father encouraged her to enter the ad competition, which promised a prize equivalent to a year’s college tuition. Winning the competition, she appeared in the ad wearing a yellow dress, seated beside two Black male models, all holding Coca-Cola bottles.
This moment made Alexander a symbol of diversity and inclusion, a significant achievement during racial inequality.
But her trailblazing didn’t stop there. Alexander became the first African-American female school administrator in Michigan, later becoming the first female principal at Highland Park High School. Her work extended beyond administration; she played a key role in recruiting and mentoring Black students in Detroit, helping them advance their careers, according to her son, Richard Lane, a Detroit minister.
Alexander passed away on September 19 following a heart attack. She had been battling scleroderma, a chronic autoimmune disease. Despite the pain, her son reflects on her resilience and faith.
“It’s a slow, painful killer, and there’s no cure for it,” Lane shared. “But she’s got to be the strongest woman I’ve ever known. Alexander suffered gracefully. She rarely complained and was a woman of faith. She loved her husband and loved her family, and just was an inspiration to so many.”
Following her passing, Coca-Cola issued a statement, calling her a pioneer for “the future of inclusive advertising.”
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Mary Alexander, an extraordinary woman who has left a positive impact on our company and those lucky enough to have known her,” they wrote. “Her historic advertisement marked a significant moment not just for The Coca-Cola Company, but for the future of inclusive advertising, and helped to dismantle racial barriers. We extend our heartfelt sympathies and sincere condolences to her family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
PLEASE FOLLOW US FOR MORE STORIES