Shirley Coleman

Shirley A. Coleman is a retired alderman of the 16th ward in Chicago; she was first elected in 1991. She lost a run-off election to Joann Thompson after coming in second in the 2007 general election.

Early life

Coleman was born in Sunflower, Ms, but grew up in Chicago, and was the youngest of 13 children. She attended Chicago State University and worked for the Chicago Osteopathic Hospital. She later worked for the Department of Human Services as a District Manager.

Political career

Coleman was first elected in 1991 after former Alderman Anna Langdon decided not to run again. Before her 1995 election, it became public that Coleman’s former husband, Hernando Williams, was on Death Row awaiting execution for rape and murder, but she was re-elected despite that new information.

As alderman, Coleman focused on issues of crime and poverty which are major problems in her ward. She served on six committees: Budget and Government Operations; Committees, Rules and Ethics; Education; Finance; Health; and License and Consumer Protection (where she served as Vice Chairman). In addition to serving as Alderman, Coleman also served as the Democratic Committeemen for 16 years, and now, her youngest daughter Stephanie Coleman is now serving as the Democratic Committeemen, making them the first mother and daughter team to have served as such in this capacity.

Stemming from her Englewood roots, Coleman is now a resident of the Village of Riverdale, and working hard to meet the needs of the residents of the Village.

Personal life

Alderman Coleman has two daughters, Shirlynda and Stephanie, and five grandchildren. Coleman made history as the only African American Chicago female alderman who is an ordained minister and pastor. Also, Coleman was the only alderman elected in the 16th Ward for 4 consecutive terms. For the last 17 years, Coleman has been the Pastor at the Spiritual Wholistic Ministries of Love & Faith where she delivers sermons and teaches Bible classes. During her 18 years as Pastor, Coleman has reached over 10,000 vessels through various outreach programs: prison ministry, food and clothing, and community outreach.

References

• Terry, Don. 2 Executions In Illinois, Rarity There. The New York Times (1995-03-23). Retrieved on 2007-11-13.