The Alabama Legislature had Priscilla Dunn for almost 25 years. She was a leader for Black women in Alabama and died on Tuesday at the age of 80.
When Dunn was in the House, from 1999 to 2008, she covered the Bessemer/Jefferson County area. When she was in the Senate, from 2009 until she decided not to run for re-election in 2022, she did the same. Due to ongoing health problems, Dunn missed a lot of her last time in the Senate.
Priscilla Dunn, who served nearly a quarter-century in the Alabama Legislature, passed away Tuesday.
— Alabama Political Reporter (@ALReporter) September 18, 2024
https://t.co/yZJNSxsh9L
Dunn was an educator her whole life and had degrees in education from Alabama State University and Montevallo. She was an inspiration to many women and was remembered with fondness by her peers in the legislature for being kind and professional. This includes Merika Coleman, who is now a state senator and replaced Dunn as the representative for District 19.
Coleman wrote in an online ode to Dunn, “I and many other women stand on the shoulders of Senator Priscilla Dunn.” “She was more than just a teacher and friend to me; she was like a mother to me and the perfect example of strength, grace, and kindness.”
“Her service to women, children, the homeless, and public schools will continue to inspire and guide us all.” My only hope is that I can have as much of an effect on District 19 as Senator Dunn did.
A longtime Alabama representative and senator has died. https://t.co/wxxrpCpwsn
— WKRG (@WKRG) September 18, 2024
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell also said that Dunn’s successes made her feel proud.
“She was a grand dame, and we Black women in politics are honored to have learned from her,” Sewell wrote.
Colleagues on the other side of the line also had nice things to say about Dunn. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed said that Dunn made him feel welcome when he first joined the Senate and that she stayed a kind and caring person for both her colleagues and the people who voted for her.
Long-time lawmaker Priscilla Dunn dies https://t.co/gQWnqWE3dJ #alpolitics
— Mary Sell (@MarySellQuillen) September 17, 2024
According to Reed, Dunn did a great job representing her area. “I will remember her most for the kindness and grace she showed her constituents and colleagues,” he said. I became a new member of the Alabama Senate in 2011, and Senator Dunn was one of the first people to greet me. I was friendly with her, and it was fun to work with her on the Jefferson County committee for many years. We are praying for her family and friends as they deal with their grief.
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A service to remember Dunn will be held at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Bessemer on Saturday.
