Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes, who represents Ohio’s 13th district in the U.S. Congress, posted a series of tweets on March 31, 2026, highlighting the achievements of Norma Marcere, a pioneering educator from Canton.
In her first post, Sykes wrote: “Norma Marcere, born in Canton, was a trailblazing educator and champion for equity in education. As the first Black counselor and school psychologist in Akron Public Schools, she opened doors for future generations.” (March 31, 2026).
She continued by acknowledging Marcere’s recognition: “In 1985, she was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame, honoring a legacy of leadership, advocacy, and impact. #WomensHistoryMonth” (March 31, 2026).
Sykes also detailed Marcere’s contributions to student development: “She founded the Project for Academic Excellence, creating opportunities for inner-city elementary students to thrive academically. That vision later grew into STRIVE — Study, Think, Read, Investigate, Volunteer, and Excel — empowering older students to engage with social issues” (March 31, 2026).
Emilia Sykes has represented Ohio’s 13th District in Congress since replacing Tim Ryan in 2023 and previously served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2015 to 2022. Born in Akron in 1986 and currently residing there at age 37, Sykes holds degrees from Kent State University and the University of Florida.
