(WWJ) She's remembered as a true trailblazer who opened doors to a more diverse legislature. Former State Representative Alma Stallworth of Detroit has died at age 87.
House Democratic Leader Christine Greig says Stallworth, who was first elected in 1970, founded the Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan and helped pave the way for black legislators, including her own sons Thomas and Keith, who were also state lawmakers.
"It is with a heavy heart, in these difficult times, that we need to acknowledge the loss of one of our treasured leaders. Alma Stallworth was a constant fixture in Detroit politics for decades," said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes, in a statement. "She embodied the importance of family and faith, taught us that our strength was in unity not division, and that silence in the face of adversity was unacceptable. Her guidance and wise counsel and her dedication in strengthening future generations of leaders makes certain her legacy will be felt for decades to come."
"The sparkle of pride in her eyes, when she acknowledged me as the first Black woman to Chair the Michigan Democratic Party was a treasure for me personally," she added.
"It is not lost on me that it was decades of her hard work that helped make that possible. I will honor her legacy by steeling my resolve to wage the political battle of our lifetime that we find ourselves in now. Mother Stallworth would be telling us it is time to put our differences aside and come together as a family. I pledge to carry her message.
"On behalf of the entire Michigan Democratic Party family, we send our condolences and wish comfort and peace to Tommy and Keith and the entire Stallworth family. May she rest in power." The Detroit Caucus, including state Reps. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, Tyrone Carter, Tenisha Yancey, Joe Tate, Leslie Love, LaTanya Garrett, and Karen Whitsett, said:
"Today we grieve the loss of one of the founding members of the Black Caucus Foundation, former state Rep. Alma Stallworth. Rep. Stallworth served the people of Michigan faithfully from 1970 to 2004. During her time in the Legislature and afterward, she recognized the lack of and need for Black voices in government and policymaking spaces and actively sought to fix this. Many of us serving today couldn't have done so without her work and dedication. Rep. Stallworth will be greatly missed, and her legacy lives on in all of us."
