Marsha Black spent more than three decades protecting the Fort Wayne community before retiring from the Fort Wayne Fire Department in July 2025. Inspired by her older brother — a firefighter himself — Marsha joined the department in 1991, drawn to both the challenge of the work and the opportunity to give back to her hometown. 

A Career Built on Grit and Dedication 

For her first six years, Marsha worked the standard shift rotation, driving fire trucks and responding to emergencies across the city. She approached her role like a sponge, absorbing everything she could from veteran colleagues and pushing herself relentlessly to improve. To earn the respect of her peers in a male-dominated field, she practiced swinging an axe during every shift for months until she mastered it — the kind of quiet determination that defined her entire career. 

She later transitioned to fire inspector in the fire marshal’s office, where she spent the next 27 years working alongside businesses, schools and hospitals to ensure their facilities were safe and their people protected. As one of the few women on the department, Marsha understood the significance of simply showing up. She recalls young girls spotting her behind the wheel of a ladder truck or arriving at a call alongside an otherwise all-male crew — eyes wide, already imagining what was possible for themselves. Whether she was helping a business owner navigate a safety inspection or mentoring the next generation of first responders, Marsha always led with compassion. 

Continuing to Serve the Community in Retirement 

After retiring at 55, Marsha continues to call Allen County home. She is actively involved in her church’s music ministry and participates in a women’s ministry that visits the Allen County Juvenile Center twice a month to mentor young women. She’s also a proud member of “Reflection and Glass,” a local Corvette club that raises scholarship money for graduating high school seniors. When she’s not giving back, she enjoys tackling home projects, gardening and traveling. 

The Vital Role of the Hoosier Lottery in First Responder Pensions 

Marsha’s well-deserved retirement is made possible in part by her pension — something she describes as a major blessing and a source of real financial peace of mind. By contributing to the pensions of Indiana’s firefighters, police officers and teachers, the Hoosier Lottery helps ensure that community heroes like Marsha are supported and cared for after dedicating their lives to keeping Indiana safe. 

Proud to Champion Hoosier Heroes: 

For more than 35 years, the Hoosier Lottery has championed play — and its power to do more — for players, communities and the state of Indiana. Hoosier Lottery distributions have benefited every county throughout Indiana. The Hoosier Lottery has contributed $8.1 billion to good causes, including $30 million to local police and firefighters’ pensions and $30 million to the Teachers’ Retirement Fund annually. To learn more about the Hoosier Lottery, visit hnzsks.com/GivingBack and follow on Facebook, Instagram and X.