A fearless public servant who demanded transparency, fought discrimination, and stood as a proud model of integrity in government, Marie Farrell-Donaldson was the kind of woman who was not afraid to ask the hard questions during her time as an educator and later as Detroit’s auditor general.

Born and raised in Detroit, Farrell-Donaldson entered education at a time when schools were still segregated and the fight for equal rights for African Americans was in full swing.

After obtaining several degrees from Wayne State University, she taught and administered in Detroit Public Schools in a position that placed her between education and activism, a fitting position for a woman who was always a firm believer that teaching was more about fostering dignity than it was about textbooks.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Farrell-Donaldson became directly involved in Detroit’s civil rights movement, deciding that her work as a teacher was not enough.

Her work helped expand housing opportunities, integrate schools, and secure fair treatment for Black workers, which saw her marching, speaking at forums, and demanding that the city of Detroit live up to its many promises of equality.

Marie Farrell-Donaldson became Detroit’s auditor general in 1983, making her the first Black woman to achieve that title.

The job did not come easily, but she tackled it with grace and dignity, diving headfirst into monitoring city finances and holding city officials accountable in the face of corruption.

A woman who took great pride in her work, Marie never shied away from a fight with mayors or council members – especially if she felt taxpayer money was being mishandled.

She chose truth over popularity and transparency over politics – even when it meant extreme backlash.

In short: she brought a certain degree of rigor, honesty, and courage to her job as auditor general that was unheard of, especially in a city still reeling from financial crisis.

For Marie, it was always about integrity above all else.

She coached younger public servants and fostered in them the idea that government work was about service, not merely self-interest, and in return, Detroiters saw her as someone working for the people, not just the powerful.

Marie Farrell-Donaldson demonstrated that leadership is about restoring respect, not just fancy titles.

She served in classrooms and city halls and stood for fairness and accountability, giving Detroit a public servant who could not be bought.

She was not just an educator or an auditor.

She was the conscience of Detroit in her era – a leader who kept the city honest and uplifted all the way until the end of her life.

Victoria Jackson (Editor In Chief)

Victoria Jackson is a lifelong student and sharp-eyed documentarian of all things Detroit, from its rich musical roots and cultural icons to its shifting neighborhoods, storied architecture, and underground legends. With her finger firmly on the pulse of both the city’s vibrant past and its rapidly unfolding future, she brings a deeply personal, historically grounded lens to every piece she writes.

Published on: September 3, 2025