Marie Goodman Hunter (born October 16, 1929; adopted and named Florence Marie Goodman) is an American actor, singer, and educator. She was adopted when young and grew up in Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia. She taught Music and Speech for 30 years at John Marshall High School. A mezzo soprano, she also performed as a soloist in Richmond churches. Beginning in the late 1950s, she began to act in the Virginia Museum Theater, a community theater. When it became an Equity/LORT in 1969, she was among those invited to join as an Equity actor and become a professional in the company. From 1976 to 2001 she won six Phoebe awards from Richmond newspapers for her acting, a record in the city. She also had the opportunity to act with other companies, including at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey; the Alabama Shakespeare Festival; and in Caux, Switzerland. While retired from full seasons, Goodman Hunter continues to perform in special concerts or events. Early life Adopted when young by Fred and Florence Goodman, she was named Florence Marie Goodman and known as Marie. She attended public schools in Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia, where her family lived as she was growing up. She discovered her innate musical ability when her parents took her as a child of six to a Palm Sunday service at a family member's school. The festivities were to include a vocal recital, but the singer did not show up. Young Marie, thinking that singing was everyone's natural gift, volunteered to entertain. With no prior lessons, she sang the familiar hymn, "I Come to the Garden Alone", to great acclaim. Singing and acting Goodman Hunter was a mezzo-soprano and she performed as a soloist at numerous Richmond churches, including First Baptist Church of South Richmond and Garland Avenue Baptist. As she performed more, she also discovered a talent and desire for acting. "An Actress Who Happens to be Black" With combined singing and acting talents, Goodman Hunter was hired as the first African American in the cast of Paul Green's The Common Glory, the annual patriotic pageant in Williamsburg, Virginia. She also acted at the Barter Theater in Abingdon and Swift Creek Mill Theater in Colonial Heights. Asked about the casting odds she faced, Goodman Hunter said, "I appreciate directors who hire you as an actress who happens to be black and not as a black actress." When VMT