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Lucille Berrien

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Lucille Berrien
Born(1928-04-12)April 12, 1928
DiedMay 22, 2026(2026-05-22) (aged 98)
OccupationActivist
Political party
Black Panther Party

Lucille M. Berrien (April 12, 1928 – May 22, 2026) was an American activist from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a member of the Black Panther Party.[1] She was the first African-American to run for mayor of Milwaukee.

Background

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Berrien was born on April 12, 1928.[1][2][3] She got married at the age of 16 and had her first child at 17. At the age of 24, in 1953, her husband was killed in the Korean War. Berrien subsequently moved with her two young children to Milwaukee. She worked for a time as a domestic worker in Bayside and Whitefish Bay homes.[4]

Political career

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Berrien ran for mayor of Milwaukee in 1972, becoming the first African-American woman to do so, but lost the race to incumbent Henry Maier.[1] Though she had recently joined the Black Panther Party, she ran a non-partisan race for mayor.[1] Berrien also ran for State Treasurer of Wisconsin in 1990 with the Labor–Farm Party of Wisconsin, but lost to Cathy Zeuske.[5]

She was a supporter of Milwaukee Alderperson Michael McGee Jr., even after his 2008 convictions for bribery and extortion, believing he was set up by the government.[6] She was also good friends with fellow Open housing advocate James Groppi.[1]

Berrien supported Vietnam Veterans Against the War and helped found People’s Coalition for Peace and Justice. She was also on the board of Legal Action of Wisconsin for over 40 years.[4]

Later life and death

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On June 16, 2010, Berrien had a stroke. She recovered and continued to reside in Milwaukee with her 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.[4]

In 2013, the Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin honored Berrien with one of the inaugural Community Health Champion Awards.[7]

In April 2021, there was an effort to rename a Milwaukee park then named for Charles Lindbergh in her honor.[2] On October 23, 2021, the name of the park was officially changed in her honor to "Lucille Berrien Park."[8] As of May 28, 2023, the park has a mural depicting Berrien.[9]

From 2021, there has been an annual Lucille Berrien Humanitarian Award named in her honor.[10]

Berrien died on May 22, 2026, at the age of 98.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Snyder, Molly (February 25, 2020). "Profiles in Milwaukee history: activist Lucille Berrien". OnMilwaukee. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Martinez, Juan Miguel (April 27, 2021). "Milwaukee Alliance Organizes to Rename Lindbergh Park". Shepherd Express. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  3. ^ "Lucille M Berrien". U.S., Public Records Index, 1950–1993, Volume 1. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "Profiles in Milwaukee history: activist Lucille Berrien". OnMilwaukee. February 25, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  5. ^ Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1991). "Elections in Wisconsin". In Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert (eds.). State of Wisconsin 1991–1992 Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. p. 908. Archived from the original on January 8, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  6. ^ Diedrich, John (June 25, 2008). "McGee guilty: Former alderman convicted of extortion, bribery in dealings with store owners". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Milwaukee. Lucille Berrien, a McGee supporter, said she believed McGee was set up by the government. "I think it's one of the worst things that has happened to Milwaukee," she said.
  7. ^ "Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin celebrates its 25th Anniversary". Milwaukee Courier. Courier Communications. October 12, 2013. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  8. ^ Powell, Teran (October 25, 2021). "Signs at Milwaukee's former Lindbergh Park now officially bear Lucille Berrien's name". WUWM. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  9. ^ "Lucille Berrien Mural at Berrien Park". Milwaukee Magazine. May 26, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  10. ^ "Milwaukee commemorates International Human Rights Day". Fight Back! News. December 9, 2025. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  11. ^ "Milwaukee civil rights activist, community leader Lucille Berrien passed away at 98". TMJ4 Milwaukee. May 24, 2026. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
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