Marquita Clardy is the mother of Brittany Clardy, a young woman whose tragic passing gained significant media attention in 2013.
Her case has since become an example of the vulnerabilities faced by young women, particularly those of color, in the face of systemic issues and violence.
Highlights
- Brittany was born to Marquita and Alvin Clardy and had two siblings.
- Marquita Clardy worked in human resources, and Alvin Clardy worked in manufacturing.
- After Brittany’s dea*h, Marquita channeled her grief into advocacy, hoping her daughter’s story could prevent similar tragedies.
Brittany Clardy was a vibrant and promising young woman from St. Paul, Minnesota. Her friends and family described her as bright, beaming, and confident.
However, Brittany’s life tragically ended in 2013 when authorities discovered her dead in an impounded car, her body having been brutally m*rdered.
This incident shocked her community, who had been frantically searching for her, posting fliers, and sharing messages on social media in hopes of finding her safe.
Her tragic story was covered in a gripping six-part mini-series, Grave Mysteries‘ third episode, A Secret Life, aired on September 18, 2017.
More recently, Brittany’s case was included in a new documentary about missing and slyaing Black women and girls, When Black Women Go Missing, which aired in June 2024.
Brittany Clardy’s Mother, Marquita Clardy, & Father, Alvin Clardy, Are Honoring her Memory Through Advocacy!
Brittany Clardy was born to Marquita and Alvin Clardy and grew up with two siblings: her sister, Lakeisha Lee, and a brother.
Her mother, Marquita Clardy, worked in human resources before Brittany’s tragic d*mise.
Brittany’s father, Alvin Clardy, worked in manufacturing. He found it hard to understand how the police described his daughter compared to what he knew about her.
Moreover, Alvin was present at legal proceedings related to Brittany’s case, showing visible emotional distress during testimony.
Alvin and Marquita consistently supported Brittany, including a car and a cell phone.
Marquita regularly bought new clothes, nurturing her funky-sock addiction by always picking up a new pair during errands.
Moreover, she was privileged with everything she needed and was doing quite well in her studies.
Brittany’s sister Lee said, “What Brittany wanted, Brittany got; that was just the way it was.“
Little cousin #brittanyclardy is missing if you know anything call the #sppd pic.twitter.com/WoGR7zwsnU
— Mary Stephanie (@Mary_Holm21) February 21, 2013
That’s why it made no sense when detectives informed them that Brittany Clardy had been working as a prostitute.
I was like, Brittany? Doing what? No, no… That part hit me like a train. It just didn’t make sense.
Marquita Clardy
However, after the tragic incident, Marquita channeled her grief into advocacy, hoping Brittany’s story could help prevent similar tragedies.
She has been vocal about the systemic issues that contributed to her daughter’s vulnerability and the broader crisis of missing and m*rdered women of color.
Additionally, Marquita has become a voice in the fight against human trafficking and violence against women, working tirelessly to raise awareness and push for systemic changes.
Furthermore, through the efforts of Marquita and supportive community members, Brittany’s legacy continues to inspire actions against systemic violence and support for vulnerable individuals.
Known as the “shelter mom,” Marquita now hangs out every Wednesday with the rotating group of girls residing in Brittany’s Place: The Safe and Sound Shelter.
Marquita’s sister and daughter, Lee, also volunteer at the shelter.
Additional Information
- Clardy’s case has inspired legislation. The Brittany Clardy Act, proposed by Rep. Ilhan Omar, aims to address issues of missing and m*rdered Black women.
- Moreover, in 2023, Minnesota established the first office inspired by Brittany’s case.
- Her tragic story has led to the creation of the Brittany Clardy Foundation, which works on issues related to missing and m*rdered African-American women and girls.
