Birmingham City Council President Pro Tem Miriam Witherspoon is dead. She became ill Monday night, and family friend Municipal Court Judge Brendette Brown-Green took her to St. Vincents Hospital emergency room. Witherspoon died there this morning. At a press conference this afternoon, Brown-Green said Witherspoon spent her last moments in service to the citizens of Birmingham.
Note: Audio courtesy of Fox 6
Witherspoon was a passionate advocate for disability rights during her time in city government. Her dedication to the issue came after a 1988 car accident that left her confined to a wheelchair. Jeff Underwood is president of the Lakeshore Foundation, an organization committed to helping people with physical disabilities.
~ Bradley George, April 21, 2009.