BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Tuesday, September 27th, city officials and members of the community will gather at an East Tampa community center. The facility will be renamed in honor of a retired longstanding City Councilmember.

Mayor Bob Buckhorn and City Council members will gather at the Woodland Terrace Community Center, 6408 N. 32nd Street, for the 3 p.m. ceremony. The building will be renamed in honor of Mrs. Gwendolyn Miller, who served for 16 years on the City Council before retiring in March 2011.

Mrs. Miller said, “It’s an honor to have someone to care that much about you to name a building after you.” Tampa banker Curtis Stokes nominated Mrs. Miller for the honor.

During her tenure as a member of City Council, Mrs. Miller was instrumental in obtaining funding for the construction of the center. The facility opened in 2002 and she secured funding for its expansion in 2008.

Mrs. Miller said this is the second time her name was submitted for the honor. Mrs. Ruth Fleming and the late Theron Morris submitted her name several years ago. However, she withdrew her name to avoid controversy.

Mrs. Miller was first elected to represent the citizens of District 5 in 1995. She served as Chairperson from 2004 to 2008, and Chair Pro-Tem from 2008 until her retirement.

During her tenure on City Council, Mrs. Miller became the second African American and the first woman to serve in that capacity. She also became the first African American to serve as Chairman. Her victory in the 2003 race for District 1, marked the first time an African American won an at-large, citywide City Council seat.

A member of New Mount Zion M. B. Church, Mrs. Miller is married to Hillsborough County Commissioner Les Miller, Jr. She is the mother of 4 children and has 6 grandchildren.