The Truth Staff
It’s not always easy to surprise someone on her birthday. However, on Thursday, December 4, former Toledo City Council President Wilma Brown was indeed flabergasted as friends and former colleagues greeted her and shouted out their “SURPRISE!” as the guest of honor entered the meeting room of the Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church.
Wilma Brown celebrated her 90th birthday last week in an event hosted by Robin Wheatley, Pam Hayes and Maggie Benson.
Guests heard tributes from former Toledo mayors Carty Finkbeiner and Paula Hicks-Hudson and current Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, along with numerous others whom Brown has worked with and influenced over her many years in public service.
Plaques from the city and the state were presented as the many aspects of Brown’s life were noted and honored.
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Brown arrived in Toledo to attend and graduate from Scott High School and pursued higher education at the University of Toledo, Davis Business College and Bowling Green State University.
She served on the Toledo Board of Education for 12 years and on Toledo City Council for 14 years, becoming the first woman to be voted president of Council. She has also held various business and non-profit roles such as designer at Models, Inc, program director at the American Cancer Society, community health coordinator for the City of Toledo’s Health Department and membership director for the Maumee Valley Girl Scout Council. She is still a member of the Civil Service Commission.
One of her more significant accomplishments is her leadership of the annual Debutante Cotillion hosted by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Toledo Club. The Cotillion, now in its 58th year, was the brainchild of Brown, who served as the general chairman for decades – she still serves as the Cotillion treasurer.
There were so many accolades offered at the Thursday celebration of Brown’s 90th birthday and City Councilman George Sarantou, who served with her for years, summed up her city council presidency. “She was a terrific president, very fair, always engaged, did her homework and kept us in line – I’m eternally thankful to you on behalf of the citizens of Toledo for all that you do.”
