Fannie Birckhead

"In these last years, visiting with her family brought her the most pleasure."

"She might disagree with a stance of someone else on council, but she was always very respectful. She never made it personal, and boy, could we use some more of that in politics today"

"She served as a role model and mentor to numerous young men and women throughout her distinguished career in public service."

"She never called me her stepson. She called me her son. She was always on my side, as long as I was doing the right thing."

"Over the years I’ve reflected on … all of the seeds that she has planted in me, and how she has watered them over the years and watched them grow. She has made me feel like there’s not anything that I can’t accomplish, that I can’t do, that I can’t overcome."

"Mrs. Birckhead always gave of her time and talents. Volunteering was her life’s work."

"The diversity of Mrs. Birckhead’s background is remarkable."

"This was a lady who respected space and time in politics. She wasn’t about the buddy-buddy system. She was about moving forward and what’s in the best interest of the community, not the individual."

"I have a vested interest in what goes on here. She went on to add that the members of the council worked together to serve the entire community, even though we disagree at times."

"She was short in stature, but she was a giant among giants in the things that she stood for."

"Miss Fannie’ was a powerhouse in our community. Advocating and securing needed assistance for vulnerable populations and serving in many key roles to address equity and fairness issues."

"The fact that Fannie stayed there and overcame the adversity she had to and did what she did for the community, I find that amazing."

"And (Birckhead) went on to even greater heights. She really reached heights no other Black woman reached."

"I’m not a liberal or a conservative. I look at the issues and make decisions based on what I believe."