Learn about the first Black mayor in New England who transitioned from civil rights to politics.
Thirman Milner, the first popularly elected Black mayor in New England, passed away on November 29 at the age of 91 in Hartford, Connecticut. He served three terms as mayor and made significant contributions to the city. His stepdaughter, Virginia Monteiro, confirmed his death. Thirman Milner was a prominent civil rights activist who was inspired by the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and dedicated his life to fighting against racial discrimination.
Born as the sixth child in a family of seven, Thirman Milner faced financial struggles as his mother worked as a domestic worker and relied on welfare at times. Despite dropping out of high school, he joined the Air Force, obtained an equivalency diploma, and pursued studies at New York University to become a pharmacist. However, after hearing Dr. King speak in New York City, he decided to shift his focus to civil rights activism.
Thirman Milner participated in protests against racial segregation in the South before returning to Hartford, where he discovered the harsh reality of discrimination against Black people. Reluctantly, he entered politics and served two terms in the State Legislature before challenging Mayor George A. Athanson, who had been in office since 1971 and was seeking a sixth term. In the 1981 Democratic mayoral primary, Mr. Athanson initially won by a narrow margin of 94 votes. However, Thirman Milner contested the results, citing fraud due to issues with absentee ballots and delays in opening a polling place in a Black neighborhood. A court ordered a new election, and on the second attempt, Thirman Milner secured the nomination with a significant lead of 9,167 to 6,258 votes. He went on to win the general election and was re-elected in 1983 and 1985, emphasizing the importance of unity.
Governor Ned Lamont, a fellow Democrat, praised Thirman Milner for his efforts to bring positive change to Hartford, especially in advocating for quality education for all children regardless of their family’s income or neighborhood. Thirman Milner’s legacy as a trailblazer in New England politics and a champion for civil rights will be remembered for years to come.
Source: The NY Times
