Former Hartford mayor Thirman Milner dies at 91
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — The first Black mayor of New England, Thirman L. Milner, has died at age 91, according to the Connecticut NAACP.
The announcement was made Friday on the official Connecticut NAACP Instagram account.
“It is with deep sorrow that the Connecticut State Conference of the NAACP announces the passing of Thirman L. Milner, the first Black mayor of Hartford, Connecticut, and the first Black mayor in New England. Mayor Milner’s legacy as a civil rights icon, community activist, and dedicated public servant will forever be etched in the history of our state and beyond,” the CT NAACP said in an Instagram post.
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Milner, a Democrat, made history when voters elected him. He served as Hartford’s mayor from 1974 to 1981.
Mayor Milner was also a former president of the Greater Hartford NAACP.
Hartford Public Schools has named a middle school, Milner Middle School, after him.
“Today, we mourn the passing of former Mayor Thirman Milner, a trailblazer whose legacy as New England’s first popularly elected Black mayor continues to inspire us,” Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam said in a written statement. “His commitment to public service and civil rights transformed Hartford and paved the way for future leaders. Thirman embodied resilience and dedication, championing the needs of our community during challenging times. As we reflect on his contributions, let us honor his memory by continuing our work towards building a Hartford that works for all. Our thoughts are with his family and all who were touched by his remarkable life.”
Gov. Ned Lamont and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz also expressed their condolences.
“Thirman Milner will forever have a place in American history as a civil rights icon,” Lamont wrote. “His upbringing here in Connecticut led him to a career in activism, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the sixties and using his passion for social justice as inspiration that led him to a career in politics. As a mayor, state representative, and state senator, he used his influence to enact positive change in Hartford, particularly focusing many of his efforts on the need to ensure that all children – no matter their family’s income level or the neighborhood where they grew up – have access to a quality education that prepares them for success. His passing is a true loss, and I encourage the residents of Connecticut to reflect on the many contributions Thirman Milner has provided our state. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
“Politics is not easy, especially if you put your whole heart into it,” Councilman Thomas J. Clark of Hartford said. “It is hard work but do it for the right reasons and that’s what he embodied is the fighter, the hard work.”
Milner was a lifelong member of the NAACP.
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