Label
Councilwoman Williams
Title
Memorializing the life of Edna R. Brown.
Summary
WHEREAS, Edna R. Brown was born on April 7, 1940 in Tuscaloosa Alabama, moving to Toledo, Ohio with her family at age 12; was educated in Toledo Public Schools, graduating from Whitney Technical High School and later attending the University of Toledo and Mary Manse College; and
WHEREAS, Edna retired from employment with the City of Toledo in 1992 after 32 years of service in various departments including the City Council Office; and in 1993, after a successful grassroots campaign, was elected to Toledo City Council where she served eight years as the District 4 Representative, during which time she was instrumental in founding the Greater Toledo Urban League; and
WHEREAS, in 2002 she was appointed to the Ohio House of Representatives where she served Central Toledo for nine years, during which she won passage of Shynerra’s Law, giving juvenile courts greater power to issue and enforce protection orders defending minors from other minors; and
WHEREAS, on January 3, 2011, Edna became the first African-American to represent Toledo on the Ohio State Senate, serving as minority whip and working with her colleagues across party lines to strengthen efforts to reduce nutrient runoff from farmland into Lake Erie, and also advocated for Workers’ Compensation benefits for emergency workers dealing with post-traumatic stress; and
WHEREAS, her tireless efforts garnered many awards, including the 2006 Jack Wolfe Memorial Award as one of two “Legislators of the Year”; 2007 Toledo YWCA Milestones Award; 2007 WiLL/WAND Pacesetter Award, and the inaugural ROSA Award for living a life parallel to the example set by civil rights leader Rosa Parks; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, upon her retirement from elected public service, she wrote, “I have always strived to improve the lives of others, and I find solace in knowing that I gave my all to the People of Lucas County”; and
WHEREAS, as well as being a loyal public servant, Edna Brown was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend and colleague, and she will be deeply missed by those left to cherish her memory; NOW, THEREFORE,
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the life of Edna Brown be honored and recognized, for 57 years of public service, and she be remembered for her remarkable life, achievements and legacy.
SECTION 2. That this Resolution shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.
Adopted: February 1, 2022: yeas 12, nays 0.
Attest:
Gerald E. Dendinger Matt Cherry
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: February 1, 2022
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor