Eugenia "Jean" Marie Murrell Strode Capers (January 11, 1913[1] – July 18, 2017) was an American judge, educator, and politician.

[4] At the age of six, her and her family moved to Cleveland, Ohio due to Edward Murrell's desire for his children to attend an integrated school.

[3][2] During her time on the Council, Capers fought against an urban renewal program that she believed would negatively impact African American communities of Cleveland.

After 10 years, in 1959, her appointment to the Cleveland City Council ended due to failed re-election, losing to democratic candidate James H. Bell, however, Capers continued her public service career by becoming an assistant Attorney General for the state of Ohio.

Capers continued running for assorted offices, including the 11th Congressional District seat of Ohio in 1998, which she lost to Stephanie Tubbs Jones.

Many politicians were eager to point out Caper's less than perfect council meeting attendance record and conspiracies regarding her potential affiliation with rackets figures.

The Call and Post eventually changed their tune, endorsing Capers when she ran for Juvenile Court Judge as part of the Republican party.

[3] For a short time in 1937, she was married to a Mississippi man, James Strode, and later eloped with Clifford E. Capers of Tennessee in 1943.

"[12] She continues to be a role model and inspiration for the city of Cleveland, being revered for shattering the glass ceiling and trailblazing the field of law for African American and women.