2 days ago
Tampa City Council Member Gwen Henderson dies
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tampa City Council Member Gwen Henderson died of natural causes Monday night. She was 60 years old.
Henderson was elected to the city council in 2023 and represented District 5, which stretches from Armenia Ave. to the Tampa Bypass Canal to the east. It includes downtown Tampa, Ybor City and neighborhoods east of I-275 and south of Busch Blvd.
Tampa city leader opens 'Black English Bookstore' to honor Black history and culture
She was a Tampa native, growing up in the Carver City neighborhood and graduating from Jefferson High School. She holds a degree in education from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and a Master of Education and Education Specialist degree in educational leadership and higher education administration from Saint Leo University.
'Gwen was always talking about her family journey: she talked with adoration about her late mother; her heroic late father who she always proudly said served in the Korean War and raised a family in Carver City; her loving sister; and her daughter who she had so much beaming pride in,' Tampa City Council Member Luis Viera said.
Council member Charlie Miranda said she was a strong willed and noble person.
'She had a way of doing things and it wasn't about her way or the highway, but by doing things the right way, without going to the highway,' Miranda said.
Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak said Henderson brought a lot to the table.
'I really enjoyed working with her, I loved her spirit and her energy when it came to discussion and debate and I appreciated the way she told it the way it was,' Hurtak said.
Hillsborough County NAACP President Yvette Lewis said she is shocked by the loss.
'I was completely shocked… I just sat beside her at Miss Teenage Tampa pageant, and she didn't say anything,' Lewis said.
In addition to her work as an educator and city council member, Henderson owned the Black English Bookstore in Tampa Heights.
'Gwen had a passion for Black History – from 1619 to today. If you wanted to see the beauty of Gwen's heart, you should stop by her dream realized – her Black English bookstore,' Viera said. 'That bookstore was about the pride she had in the journey of her family and families like hers. Gwen's life and values were intertwined in the journey of Black Tampenos.'
Henderson's death will trigger a special election to fill the city council seat for the remainder of her term, which ends in 2027.
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