Unexpected Love at Dartmouth
Marable met his wife Joan, a member of the class of 1976 and one of the first few classes of women at Dartmouth. Their meeting was the result of the constant struggle of not only Black students but also feminists and other minority groups to convince the college administration to change their policies. In the late 1960s, as the civil rights movement progressed, on-campus demonstrations became more common and heated with the administration, often escalating into conflicts. Boycotts, walk-outs, riots, and take-overs of administration buildings all reflected the need for change and safe space for minorities. These actions culminated with the introduction of Black Studies. In the case of women, they helped to expedite coeducation and create a more equal college system where women have the same access to education.
Marable initially applied to all-male colleges because he felt he needed a space to focus on education alone and nothing else. However after meeting his wife on campus he recalled that coeducation was probably the best decision the administration could have taken. They met in the Dartmouth Bookstore, downstairs where textbooks were available. It was the first day of classes when freshman go pick up their books. Joan had a stack of books and was preparing to join the long line of first year students heading to the cash register upstairs. Ken was staring at her and Joan noticed. Then he ask if she would like to follow him for a shortcut to avoid the line. She did (much to her friend's surprise) and after she got her books, they spent the day together driving around Hanover.
Marable with his wife when they were students and how they are now