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Jerria Martin will temporarily replace a Selma icon on the Alabama Public Library Service Board of Directors.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey appointed Martin to serve the remainder of Nancy Sewell’s term on the board.

“I’m elated and I’m humbled,” Martin said.

Sewell, who died June 10, , was an educator for 36 years and served as Reading is Fundamental program with the Zeta Eta Omega Chapter/Women and Youth Service Center of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She was also a librarian, the first African-American city councilwoman in Selma and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Martin said she’s honored to succeed Sewell, the mother of U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell.

“Mrs. Sewell was my mentor during my time at Selma High School. I know she’d be thrilled to see one of her “babies” filling in for her,” Martin said. “Through my service as the newly appointed Executive Board Member of APLS, I am vowing to make Mrs.Sewell, Gov. Ivey, and the citizens of Congressional District Seven proud.”

Marin has earned praise for her work director of Drug Free Communities of Dallas County throughout the community. She donates to several different local organizations.

“Jerria Martin does an excellent job with the DFC,” Dallas County Sheriff Mike Granthum said.