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The Selma City Council honored Nancy Sewell with a proclamation at its City Council meeting on Tuesday night in the City Chamber.

Sewell, who died two weeks ago, was the first Black female Selma City Councilwoman  and teacher of the Selma City School System for 36 years.

Terri Sewell and other family members accepted the resolution from the city for Nancy Sewell, a member of the sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. and Reading is Fundamental coordinator.

“My mom loved Selma,” Terri Sewell told the council. “She pledged, and my dad pledged, their life work uplifting children of Dallas County.

“Thank you to the Selma City Council for honoring her. It was a privilege to accept this resolution and I am deeply grateful for all you have done to uplift her legacy.”

Perkins praised Sewell’s dedication to the Queen City. “Mrs. Nancy Sewell, Librarian, Councilwoman and Community Activist, had tremendous influence and made an extraordinary impact on the City of Selma,” Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. said.

Nancy Gardner was born in Hope Hull. Sewell was married to Andrew A. Sewell, whom they met as students at Alabama State University. They had four children: Mary, Terri, Andrew and Anthony. Andrew Sewell, who coached Selma High to a Class 4A state title in 1977, died in 2016.