The Legacy of Stanley Marcus
Were he still alive, Harold “Stanley” Marcus would have celebrated his 110th birthday on April 20th. When most people think of him, they recall the many years that he served as president and chairman of the board of Neiman-Marcus, the luxury retail department store that was founded by his father, and his aunt in the early 1900s.
The impact of Stanley Marcus on the business life of Texas, the United States and the world is well-known. His management style, corporate innovations and employee practices are studied in some of our country’s finest business schools. His leadership transformed the Dallas-based retailer, securing for it an international presence and brand.
In addition to being a world-class entrepreneur and business owner, Stanley Marcus was a superb human being who believed in social progress. Under his leadership, Neiman-Marcus became the first of the large downtown Dallas department stores that ended the practice of African Americans not being allowed to try on clothing before they made purchases.
Stanley Marcus, raised in a Jewish family, understood the pain caused by racial and religious prejudices. While a student at a college in Massachusetts, he was not allowed to join his school’s fraternal organizations because of his faith. No doubt that experience heavily influenced how he conducted his personal and his business life.
He was not afraid to take a stand when others held opposing views. During the 1972 Democratic primary, Senator George McGovern’s wife was scheduled to visit Dallas for a fundraising luncheon. Most of the Democratic stalwarts in the city refused to participate because they were backing Vice-President Hubert Humphrey’s bid for the presidency.
Stanley Marcus agreed to personally fund the luncheon for Mrs. McGovern, telling the organizers that he would attend and that he did not care if supporters of the vice-president knew it. He did not want to see Mrs. McGovern embarrassed by a small turnout at the event.
In addition to being a great Texan, Stanley Marcus was a great American patriot. He contributed his talents and ideas to the American government during World War II while serving as a member of the War Production Board.
He believed in the people who worked for the company that he helped to mold, and they believed in him. His life was laced with vision, integrity and grace. Dallas is a great city because Stanley Marcus lived in it, and devoted his life to its development.
