Miriam Witherspoon
Miriam D. Witherspoon (born c. 1960 in Mobile - died April 21, 2009 in Birmingham) was an attorney and representative for District 7 in the Birmingham City Council.
Witherspoon, daughter of McKinley Dan and Claretha Witherspoon, was born and raised in Mobile. She had a degree in political science and history from Alabama A&M University and graduated 2nd in her class at the Miles School of Law. An auto accident in 1988 injured her spinal cord and left her wheelchair-bound. She began practicing law in 1990, with a specialty in senior citizens and disability issues. She was the executive director of Senior Citizens Services of Alabama. She also served as the Attorney for Senior Citizens in Jefferson County and maintained a private practice in probate law up to her death.
She was first elected to the City Council in the 2005 Birmingham City Council election over six opponents for the seat vacated by Bert Miller and was still in office when she died. On the Council she served as President Pro Tempore. She also chaired the Public Improvements Committee and was a member of the Administration, Budget and Finance Committee.
On the council, Witherspoon took a leadership role in promoting city-wide compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Upon her election the Council chambers were immediately retrofitted to make them accessible for her. She sponsored the Birmingham Visti-ability Ordinance mandating disabled access in neighborhoods across the city. She proposed and later withdrew a 120% pay increase for council members in 2008.
Witherspoon was the first African American to be honored as "Miss Wheelchair Alabama". She was also a life-long member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and a member of Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church in Brighton.
Witherspoon had given no indications she was ill during an April 20, 2009 committee meeting, but called a friend a few hours later saying she felt ill and asked to be taken to the hospital. She was taken to St Vincent's Birmingham where she died early the next day. It is believed she had an advanced infection she hadn't noticed due to her paralysis, which her body was unable to overcome.
Mayor Larry Langford ordered flags be flown at half mast in her honor. He also asked that Lamar Outdoor Advertising provide a free spot on their electronic billboards honoring her memory on the day of her funeral, which the company agreed to do. Viewings were held April 23 at St John A.M.E. Church and just before the funeral on April 24 at Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Witherspoon was buried in her hometown of Mobile.
The City Council will appoint a replacement for her seat until an election can be held.
| Preceded by: Bert Miller |
Birmingham City Council District 7 Representative 2005–April 21, 2009 |
Succeeded by: TBD |
References
- Whitmire, Kyle (October 12, 2006) "Making the Grade: Birmingham Councilors earn their marks." Birmingham Weekly
- "Birmingham Councilwoman withdraws outrageous pay raise proposal so it can be considered by a council committee." (October 23, 2008) Birmingham News
- "Birmingham City Councilwoman Miriam Witherspoon dies." (April 21, 2009.) Breaking News from The Birmingham News. Accessed April 21, 2009.
- DeButts, Jimmy. (April 21, 2009.) "Birmingham City Councilwoman Miriam Witherspoon dies." Birmingham Business Journal. Accessed April 22, 2009.
- Bryant, Joseph D. (April 22, 2009.) "Council’s Miriam Witherspoon falls ill, dies." The Birmingham News. Pages 1A, 4A.
- Bryant, Joseph D. (April 22, 2009.) "Corrected funeral arrangements announced for Councilwoman Miriam Witherspoon." Breaking News from The Birmingham News. Accessed April 24, 2009.
- Bryant, Joseph D. (April 23, 2009.) "Birmingham billboards to carry message honoring Witherspoon." Breaking News from The Birmingham News. Accessed April 24, 2009.
- Miriam Denise Witherspoon obituary. (April 24, 2009.) The Birmingham News.
External links
- Witherspoon's council bio at birminghamal.gov