Black History Being Made In Bellflower, California: Dr. Gloria Willingham Is The First Black Woman To Run For City Council
Dr. Gloria Willingham
Bellflower, CA (February 20, 2013) -- Dr. Gloria Willingham is the first African American woman to run for Bellflower City Council. If elected, she will become the first African-American to serve on the council. She would also be the only woman on the council.
While this is Willingham's first run for a political office, she is no stranger to public service. She brings solid leadership experience gained from her years as military officer (Lt. Colonel, US Army Retired) among other roles. The SEIU (Service Employees international Union), and the LA County Democratic Party, and a host of others have endorsed her. Her background is amazing according to one source.
She served as the Chief, Nursing Education and Research at the VA Healthcare System in Long Beach,CA for 10 years, and served veterans in other VA institutions for ten years before that. She has been responsible for the oversight of multi-million dollar budgets while serving as a university senior Vice-president. She has worked on policy development at multiple levels. She has served on a variety of boards, and launched non-profit organizations reaching out to underrepresented communities.
Willingham earned a PhD in Education/Administration from Claremont Graduate University, a Master's degree in Nursing Science from University of Arkansas Medical Science Campus, and a BSN degree from Regents College. She is no stranger to hard work and long hours having raised three children as a single divorced parent while working full time and earning three college degrees. She is now married to Ben Toure,
CEO of AframGlobal Organization Inc, a nonprofit human rights organization. Together, they are parents to a blended family of five adult children, and three grandchildren. As a Bellflower homeowner since 1991 she is vested in the success of the community.
Supporters describe her as "the breath of fresh air that Bellflower needs." Additionally, she would bring new insights and a balance of experience to the current council. She supports business development. She supports accountable and trusted budget management. She supports empowering local residents to be actively involved in bringing their concerns to the attention of the city council. She supports programs to develop local leaders. She supports empowering communities to develop community improvement activities.
She stated: "It is time for a change in Bellflower. Many residents have told me that they are ready. We need the balanced diversity in the city council that we see in our communities."
Additional information can be found at: www.gloriaforbellflower.com
PRESS CONTACT:
B.D. Touré
gloriaforBellflower@gmail.com
562-645-6015
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