Jean Murrell-Capers graduated from Western Reserve University and Cleveland Law School, the predecessor to The Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She won Cleveland’s 1941 tennis championship, organized by the city recreation department. Later she taught health and physical education at Central High School.

Capers ran for Cleveland City Council in 1949 and succeeded in being the first African-American woman to become a member. She held this position for ten years. Between 1964 and 1966 she served as special counsel to the Ohio Attorney General and was an original member of the Women’s Advisory Council of the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services. In 1977, Capers was appointed Judge of the Municipal Court by Governor James A. Rhodes and held that position until her retirement in 1986.