Marie Cowser moved to the Old Fourth Ward in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1979. Over the next 20 years, the neighborhood became her all-consuming passion. She was a tireless community activist who raised her daughter in the same community she worked to improve. In 2009, when she passed away from cancer at the age of 49, Cowser left behind a legacy that laid the foundation for the neighborhood’s future—one that emphasized development without displacement and investing in people as much as in infrastructure.

Cowser fostered a deep sense of community, hosting meetings and coffee klatches in her own home to help new and longtime residents bridge their economic and cultural differences.

When Cowser began working at the Historic District Development Corporation (HDDC), co-founded by Coretta Scott King in 1980, the organization initially focused on preserving the buildings and homes within the King Historic District. However, as Cowser became more invested in ensuring the neighborhood’s underserved and underprivileged residents were prioritized, the nonprofit’s mission expanded.

Her efforts extended far beyond her day job or the multiple committees she chaired or co-chaired—including Neighborhood Planning Unit-M (NPU-M), the Atlanta Empowerment Zone Corporation (AEZC), the Community Empowerment Advisory Board (CEAB), and the Atlanta Community Empowerment Board (ACE). Cowser was hands-on, organizing everything from neighborhood cleanups to youth and senior initiatives.