Mrs. Marge Hardwick has been a South Phoenix Resident since her birth in 1949. She was an early member of the South Phoenix Baptist Missionary Church where she continues to contribute to her community to this day.
Marge Hardwick was born on her great aunt’s couch in Phoenix, AZ on March 5th, 1949. Her father was from Oklahoma and her mother was from Arkansas. They both came to Phoenix drawn by better working opportunities and conditions out west. Her father was a gardener at the VA hospital and created for his family what Marge described as a “lovely home.” “I was one of the lucky ones,” she said, because her house had an indoor bathroom and running water, which at the time, was uncommon for South Phoenix.
Insert Clip of Mrs. Hardwick explaining the origins of her parents moving to Phoenix. [1:34-2:01]
She grew up primarily around Broadway and Wier around 32nd Street before moving to the Sheraton Park Neighborhood between Broadway and Roeser on 24th Street. While growing up in South Phoenix, Marge attended several South Phoenix schools including Percy L. Julian and South Mountain High School. When, at the end of her sophomore year, Marge’s brother won a scholarship to Phoenix Union High School, Marge decided to transfer as well. It was difficult to start over at a new school, but she ultimately graduated from PUHS.
At that time, although school segregation was nationally outlawed the lasting impacts were still felt in Phoenix and across the country. Minorities, primarily African Americans, were typically denied the opportunity to purchase real estate north of the downtown Phoenix area. The Williams and Jones Construction Company stepped in and was the sole African American owned home building entity in Phoenix from the 1940s to the 1960s. They built houses for aspirational Black families south of the Salt River. Houses, like the one where Marge grew up.
As more African American families moved to the area, they found themselves drawn to South Phoenix, with its close-knit communities and housing opportunities.
Moving to Sheraton Park “insert clip” [20:39-24:32]
At first, Marge wanted to be a teacher after high school. But things changed when she met her first child’s father at a get-together at Luke Air Force Base. They began a family and Hardwick began working at Motorola, where she spent the majority of her professional life. She continued to live in South Phoenix, close to Southern and Baseline.
Marge became quite interested in the neighborhood, especially South Phoenix Baptist Church, which is situated at the intersection of Broadway and 25th Street. She has been an active member since the church was founded in 1958, and she has made considerable contributions to Sunday school programs as well as other church events, such as the popular yard sales, bake sale, and fish fry. Reverend Willie B. Smith, whose aspirational leadership had a long-lasting effect on the congregation, served as her mentor.
“insert clip” [56:59-58:04]Mrs. Hardwick explains how many children in her community were baptized before their church had the appropriate capacities to do so at their location.
Marge later returned to her original goal to be a teacher, working for many years as a substitute in the Roosevelt School District. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Marge was committed to a number of community service projects. One such project was her leadership and teaching roles in her church, where she assisted in organizing community events and teaching Sunday school classes. She demonstrated her continuous devotion to improving others around her through her dedication to community service and education.
Clips: add clips 24:37, 26:00, 34:56, 1:03:00
Hardwick has seen a lot of change in South Phoenix, which is best illustrated by the developments on Broadway Road. Local businesses have come an gone, new housing developments in their place. Hardwick believes this provides the perfect example of the need to protect local history.
Mrs. Hardwick’s Definition of South Phoenix “insert clip” [31:08-33:28]
Through her active participation in the South Phoenix Community by way of the South Phoenix Baptist Missionary Church, and through her experiences of living in South Phoenix for over seven decades, Mrs. Hardwick is a living resource on the history, culture, and significance of South Phoenix.
Click to access Hardwick’s Interview Index
| Narrator | Marge Hardwick |
| Birthdate | March 5, 1949 |
| Place of Origin | Phoenix, AZ |
| Place of Residence | South Phoenix |
| Years Active | 1949- |
| Occupation | Retired, Volunteer at South Phoenix Baptist Missionary Church |
| Recording Date | November 29, 2023 |
| Location | South Mountain Community College |
| Recording Duration | 1:15:26 |
| Interview Conducted By | Faculty Researcher Summer Cherland |
| Stories Written By | Student Researchers Fabian Baquera & Julius Williams |
South Phoenix Oral History Project 