Marjorie Guthrie

She was the daughter of American Yiddish poet Aliza Greenblatt (née Waitzman) and the second of three wives of folk musician Woody Guthrie, to whom she was married from 1945 to 1953.

Woody Guthrie began experiencing symptoms of Huntington's disease in the 1940s, although his condition remained undiagnosed until 1952.

Her advocacy work also included serving on the National Committee for Research in Neurological and Communicative Disorders, the New York State Commission on Health Education and Illness Prevention, and the advisory council of the National Institute of General Medical Science.

In 1935, after graduation from the Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Marjorie moved to New York City on scholarship and joined the Martha Graham Dance Company.

As a core company member, Marjorie appeared in such iconic pieces as "Primitive Mysteries", "American Document", "Every Soul is a Circus", and "Appalachian Spring".

Marjorie was to appear in fellow Graham dancer Sophie Maslow’s New Dance Group performance of "Folksay".

In an attempt to create something unique, Sophie choreographed a dance to rural roots music.

Since hearing Dust Bowl Ballads she had dreamed Woody was a tall cowboy with a Stetson hat...when she knocked on the door, there appeared a 5'6" wiry guy.

During the more than 15 years that the disease affected him, Marjorie stood by his side as she supervised Woody's hospital care.

But after a long period, in and out of that hospital, I said to myself, “Why is it hopeless and helpless?” And with my kids now being old enough to be able to take care of themselves, I went to Dr. Whittier, who was in charge of Creedmore Institute, where Woody was at that time, and said, “I want to help".

[12] In 1975, she married Martin B. Stein, who was vice president of the Committee to Combat Huntington's Disease.