Former Flint Mayor Woodrow Stanley has died at age 71 at Hurley Medical Center.
Mayor Sheldon Neeley offered a statement on the passing on Stanley, saying:
“We have lost a true community hero, patriot and pioneer in Woodrow Stanley. He leaves us after a lifetime of commitment and service to the city of Flint and its residents. A role model and mentor to many. His decades of advocacy for youth placed our community on an upward trajectory that will continue to benefit us all. May we all leave a legacy that will impact others to do good. I ask that you continue to lift his family and all that loved him in prayer. The flags at (Flint) City Hall and Genesee County buildings will be lowered to half-staff for the week of February 21 in remembrance of a true Flintstone.”
“Throughout his time in elected office, Woodrow was a passionate public servant and a mentor for young people throughout our community. He will be missed by Flint and our community,” said Congressman Dan Kildee, chief deputy whip of the House Democratic Caucus.
County Commissioner Charles Winfrey served as a top advisor to Stanley during his time as mayor. Winfrey said he was totally shocked, as well as saddened when he realized his close friend had died.
“It was strange because I’d gotten some calls and people were asking me if Woodrow had passed,” Winfrey explained. “I said ‘no, Woodrow hasn’t passed.’ But, when I eventually I managed to talk to one of his daughter and I found out that was true.”
Winfrey recalls when he and Stanley were students at Mott Community College.
“It was during the time when we were crying out for relevancy in terms of incorporating some of our history and some of our experiences into the total curriculum,” he said. “So, we managed to do a great deal in that regard, infusing a lot of African American history into the program over there.”
Winfrey and his friend Stanley also managed to make sure there was a level playing field in terms of access to a number of the prime programs the college offered, such as nursing.
At the University of Michigan-Flint, Winfrey and Stanley, along with other students and a staff member, put together the Africana Studies program. They also worked with the program to get it implemented into the system.
“I became involved in politics because my best friend (Woodrow Stanley) became involved in politics,” Winfrey said.
Although Stanley was recalled in 2002, Stanley may be remembered for his role in the development of University Park, among other notable accomplishments. The subdivision was the first developed in Flint in many years.
“He was not only a strong advocate for the entire city of Flint, but he was an even stronger advocate for making sure things were put in place to uplift the African American community.”
Stanley was passionate about inclusion, making sure African American companies were included in the city’s procurement process.
When Stanley got into Flint City Hall in 1991, African Americans in the general city workforce, police department and fire department made up 35%. When Stanley left office, that number across the board was 50%.
About two years after the recalled election, in 2004, Stanley became a county commissioner where he served until 2008 and became chair.
Stanley was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2008. He served in that capacity until the end of term limits.
Winfrey remembers Stanley as not only an elected official, but a “student of politics” who would read about other politicians and learn from it.
Winfrey said: “He was a great man, and I’m proud to have called him my friend.”
Dr. Karen Weaver, another former mayor of Flint, said: “When I reflect on Woodrow Stanley, I am reminded of what he meant to this community. It saddens me to know what a tremendous voice we have lost here in the city of Flint and beyond. For me personally, he was my church brother , a confidant and a friend. There is no question that I will miss him. I learned so much from him politically, especially related to how to address issues and challenges I faced. Whether we were talking about government, or addressing issues with the media, I turned to him for his guidance and his thoughts. He will be missed for years to come; but his voice and his impact will certainly live on in this community.”
