Brenda M. Scott
| Brenda M. Scott | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Detroit City Council | |
|
In office January 01, 1994 – September 02, 2002 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Brenda M. Scott December 22, 1954 Detroit, Michigan |
| Died |
September 2, 2002 Detroit, Michigan |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Wayne State University |
Brenda M. Scott was a Detroit City Council member from 1994-2002.
Early life
Scott was born on December 22, 1954 to Nancy M. Scott, a restaurateur and caterer, and Rudy Scott, a manager at General Motors. She was inspired to enter public service by her mother.[1] Scott held a Bachelor of Arts degree with a dual major in Political Science and Speech Communication from Wayne State University.[2] She also earned a Master of Arts in Urban Politics from the University of Detroit.[2]
Political career
Scott began her career as an Administrative Assistant to former Detroit City Council Member, Herbert McFadden, Jr. She later served as both an Administrative and Executive Assistant to former Detroit City Council Member, Mel Ravitz.[1]
In 1990, Brenda Scott was elected a member of the Wayne State University (WSU) board of governors. She held this position from 1991-1995. Scott resigned from the board due to a court ruling that precluded her from holding two elected offices as a councilwoman and board of governor.[2] After serving on the board, Scott started the Brenda M. Scott Scholarship Fund.[2] The scholarship was endowed for $10,000, by former Wayne State President David Adamany on behalf of the board of governors. The scholarship is open to all WSU students and is awarded on the basis of scholastic achievement, financial need, and demonstrable qualities of leadership.[3] She was a founding member of the Wayne State University Organization of Black Alumni.
Scott was elected to the Detroit City Council in 1993.[1] At the time of her death in 2002, Scott had begun her third term and was the City Council Designee on the City of Detroit General Retirement System Board of Trustees. She was the first African-American woman to serve as a trustee.[1]
While on City Council, Scott chaired several task forces and led numerous initiatives. She chaired the City Council Task Force on Firearm Violence, which created an ordinance to remove illegal firearms off the streets by cracking down on neighborhood gun dealers.[1][better reference needed] She also led City Council's effort to make sure all Detroiters were counted in the 2000 Census.[1]
Scott sponsored several community service actives throughout the year which included her annual Black History Month Program, Belle Isle Family Fun Day Picnic, Health Fair, Thanksgiving Food Drive, and Golf Classic.[3]
Scott was vice chair of the Detroit Entrepreneurial Institute and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha and Gamma Phi Delta sororities.[1]
Death
Scott died on Labor Day, September 2, 2002, from a severe stomach infection, peritonitis, three days after having stomach-reduction surgery.[2]
Legacy
Detroit Public Schools honored Scott in 2003 by naming a PK-8 school after her, Brenda M. Scott Academy for Theatre Arts.[4]
As of April 2017, Helena Scott, Scott’s sister-in-law, is running for Detroit City Council in District 2.[5]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Goode, Beverly (June 30, 2002). "City of Detroit, Michigan Comprehensive Annual Financial Report For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2002" (PDF). p. 147. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- 1 2 3 4 5 University, Wayne State. "Former member of the Wayne State Board of Governors and alumnus is dead". Wayne State University. Retrieved 2017-05-15.
- 1 2 University, Wayne State. "Brenda M. Scott golf outing will raise money for student scholarships". Wayne State University. Retrieved 2017-05-15.
- ↑ "Brenda Scott Academy - Education Achievement Authority". Education Achievement Authority. Retrieved 2017-05-15.
- ↑ "It's official: 8 Detroit mayoral candidates will be on primary ballot". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2017-05-15.