By Toya M. Nelson
Our friend and co-founder of Colorado Black Women of Political Action (CBWPA) and the African American Voter Information and Registration Project (AA-VIP), Wilma M. Taylor, passed away on Thursday, June 7, in Toledo, Ohio.
Wilma M. Taylor
Dec. 9, 1940 - June 7, 2007
In honoring her memory, we are drawn to a poem by Maya Angelou, “On the Pulse of Morning.” Angelou’s words of courage, grace defined the life and legacy of Taylor. She wrote, “seek no haven in my shadow, I give you no hiding place down here.”
Taylor, a lady of quiet courage, dignity, commitment, and service, sought no hiding place. More than 30 years ago, she co-founded CBWPA, along with other women committed to empowering Black women in politics, including former Colorado State Senator Gloria Tanner and current State Representative Rosemary Marshall.
Taylor’s goal, then, and her legacy now, is the mission of CBWPA, political maturity: the key to political power. CBWPA President Gerie Grimes shared this same sentiment after the organization’s June general membership meeting, where it was announced that an anonymous donor had offered to fund “The Wilma M. Taylor Political Issues and Education Memorial Scholarship.”
“She contributed so greatly in the political education arena by ensuring that African Americans were informed and involved in all aspects of the political process. At her funeral services, I realized that she will be missed by so many in this community and that CBWPA will always be indebted to her for keeping the organization focused on our mission,” reflected Grimes.
Taylor worked diligently as president of CBWPA from 1991 to 1995, and again from 2001-2005, to increase political influence and leadership within the African-American community, and to encourage and grow political leadership among young African Americans. She took great joy in nurturing and mentoring young women, and new leaders.
“While some people speak of giving back to the community and involving young people in the political process, Wilma Taylor modeled it, and she did so with humor, warmth, grace and, yet, a sense of urgency,” explained CBWPA member Ajenai Clemmons of Denver’s Office of the Independent Monitor. “She was my mentor and friend, and she taught that it is our quiet obligation to blaze paths for those that come behind us, because we owe that to those who came before us and empowered us with the knowledge, tools and strength to do so.”
With others, Taylor co-founded the AA-VIP, a non-partisan voter registration, policy information, and voter information organization, dedicated to voter rights and participation in the African-American community in Colorado.
In addition to her community service in the political arena, much of Taylor's professional life was spent in local government in Denver. She served as an aide to Councilman Bill Roberts and as an appointee to Wellington E. Webb, Denver’s first Black mayor. She was appointed by Webb and re-appointed by Mayor John Hickenlooper to serve on the Denver Women’s Commission, from October 2001 to December 2006.
“Notice of her passing has greatly saddened Wellington and me, and she will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her,” reflected Wilma J. Webb, the former mayor’s wife and a former State Representative herself.
As Denver grew, Taylor’s vision for Black political influence also grew.
“Wilma was a woman whose passion for people, politics, and civil rights was evidenced by her decades of service to the Denver community. She was selfless in her desire to help others, and she dedicated her life to the improvement of her community,” offered Dante J. James, Esq., state director of the Center for Progressive Leadership and former AA VIP executive director.
While Angelou wrote of “Offering space, to place new steps of change,” Taylor sought change and set a pace for change in Denver, in the state and in the nation. She founded the Colorado Coalition on Race Relations as part of President Bill Clinton’s Initiative on Race Relations. This diverse coalition of individuals and organizations traveled throughout Colorado encouraging wide-ranging dialogue and listening to people’s concerns. These efforts culminated in a report, A Colorado Perspective on Race Relations, which was presented at a national meeting in Denver. This seminal work led to Taylor receiving the 2005 Colorado ACLU Carl Whitehead Memorial Award for Lifetime Contributions to Civil Liberties.
She was selected by the Mile Hi Council of Girl Scouts as a Woman of Distinction, an honor earned for her investments of time and energy in youth development and leadership development for young girls and women.
“I will miss my dear friend Wilma Taylor,” added retired Colorado educator Alice Langely, who served with Taylor on the boards of both AA VIP and CBWPA. “I will always remember her intellect, her ready response to solve a problem, her undying sense of humor, her organizational skills, and her infectious belief that a project was ‘a doable thing.’”
Taylor chose to live her life with grace and hope. Her grace was shown in her kind and generous spirit. Her hope was shown in her passionate devotion to achieving lasting change in our society, so that other generations would be spared the insidious ravages of racism and discrimination. Her optimism for the future was grounded, not in rosy naiveté, but forged in the knowledge that real and enduring change requires a hard struggle. She knew the prize was worth the struggle, and never lost her personal faith that we are, indeed as Angelou wrote, “on the pulse of morning.”
Condolences to the family may be sent to 1038 Prospect Ave., Toledo, Ohio 43606. Planning is under way for a Denver memorial in the near future.
Editor’s Note: This story was contributed by Toya M. Nelson, the president of the African American Voter Information and Registration Project (AA VIP), and the board secretary of Colorado Black Women for Political Action (CBWPA). Karon Majeel also contributed to the story.
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