Priscilla Dunn
Priscilla Dunn (born October 8, 1943; died September 17, 2024) represented District 56 in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1998 to 2009, and District 19 in the Alabama State Senate until 2022. She was known for championing issues important to women, children, the homeless, and public education.
Dunn graduated from J. S. Abrams High School in Bessemer. She has a bachelor of science in education from Alabama State University and a master of arts in education from the University of Montevallo. She worked for 29 years as a teacher before retiring, and continued to work part-time as the homeless education coordinator for Bessemer City Schools. She was also president of the Concerned Citizens of Bessemer Cut-Off.
She was elected to represent Alabama House District 56 in 1998 and subsequently re-elected to two additional terms. She was twice named "Legislator of the Year" in the house. Dunn is also on the board of directors for the Bessemer Civic Center and on the advisory board of the Jefferson/Shelby Counties American Cancer Society.
In June 2009 Dunn defeated Merika Coleman in a runoff in the special election to complete the term of E. B. McClain after his bribery conviction. She outspent her opponent $41,359 to $14,131 and picked up endorsements from three of her primary opponents. Her primary goal when she stated her candidacy was to lower the age at which children are required to attend school from 7 to 5.
Dunn was re-elected to her Senate seat, without opposition, in 2010, having easily fended off a challenge from Nathan Reed in the Democratic primary. She was unopposed in the 2014 general election. In 2016 she co-sponsored Act of Alabama No. 2016-399, which amended the "Chemical Endangerment of a Child" statute to affirm that if a pregnant woman had a "good faith belief" that her use of a controlled substance was "pursuant to a lawful prescription," that she would not be guilty of violating the law and that no one had a duty to report such use. The amendment was signed into law by Governor Bentley on May 12, 2016.
Dunn again ran unopposed in the 2018 election. During her last term in office, Dunn missed significant time due to illness, and did not run in the 2022 general election.
Dunn and her husband Grover had one daughter, Karen. They attended Shady Grove Baptist Church, where she served as a trustee and Sunday School teacher.
Preceded by: Lawrence McAdory |
Alabama State Representative, District 56 1998 - 2009 |
Succeeded by: Lawrence McAdory |
Preceded by: E. B. McClain |
Alabama State Senator, District 19 2009 - 2022 |
Succeeded by: Merika Coleman |
References
- Ruisi, Anne (May 10, 2009) "Priscilla Dunn says her experience sets her apart for Senate District 19." The Birmingham News
- "A Glance at Representative Priscilla Dunn" (June 25, 2009) Birmingham Times
- Ruisi, Anne (June 26, 2009) "Senate District 19 hopefuls Priscilla Dunn and Merika Coleman vie for money." The Birmingham News
- Ruisi, Anne (June 30, 2009) "Priscilla Dunn wins Democratic runoff for state Senate." The Birmingham News
- Cason, Mike (September 17, 2024) "Former Alabama state Sen. Priscilla Dunn, remembered as 'champion for women, children,' has died." AL.com
External links
- Priscilla Dunn at ballotpedia.org