MEET MARCIA MANSARAY

Health Officer. Community Advocate. Wife/Mother/Grandmother.

West Michigan Is My Home

I was born and raised where eastern Ottawa County meets Kent County. That’s where my mother’s grandparents — Louis and Nellie Zondervan — chose to settle after immigrating from the Netherlands. And it was in their home that Zondervan Christian Publishing was founded. Growing up, I humorously thought all bibles came from Zondervan. 

I Inherited a Can-Do Attitude and Some Stubborn Persistence

While I surely didn’t inherit the height, breadth, and brawn of my Dutch ancestors, I did inherit their stubborn persistence and can-do attitude. I’ve lived my life believing that I, and we, can do amazing things if we work at it.

I started delivering the Grand Rapids Press seven days a week when I was 13. I worked summer jobs in food service and in manufacturing at Steelcase during high school and college. I earned a four-year, full-ride scholarship to Grand Valley State University and graduated with a teaching certificate and a degree in science. I worked part-time for more than a decade as an adjunct professor in GVSU’s science lab while home-schooling three children. I have spent the last two decades in public health — as a health educator, an epidemiologist, and ultimately as the deputy health officer for the Ottawa County Department of Public Health.

What is My Party?

I’m not particularly interested in party politics. I was raised Republican and voted Republican most of my life. But national and state politics — and my front-row seat to the attempted destruction of our county’s public health services under Ottawa Impact — has changed that. I’m running as a Democrat for the 85th Michigan House because the Republican party has moved away from my long-held beliefs about the kinds of communities we want to build. I’m happy to be welcomed into a party that shares my values.

Family, Faith, and Community Propel Me Forward 

Today, I call Zeeland my home. I am blessed to be married to Alpha Mansaray, a first-generation immigrant from West Africa and a Hope College grad. I am fascinated by the story of his life and his courage, compassion, intelligence, and resilience. I am inspired by the way he demonstrates the love of Jesus daily. Together, we share six children and two grandchildren, who fill our home with love. 

  "Health care is vital to all of us some of the time, but public health is vital to all of us, all of the time."

-- C. Everett Koop, Public Health Administrator/US Surgeon General under President Ronald Reagan

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