When a community, a city, or state loses an important advocate for social justice, a hole is created in the social and political fabric of the nation. With the recent loss of former state representative and civil rights activist, Detroiters are feeling the void of one of it’s most prolific standard bearers for justice and equality. The gentle warrior and author of Michigan’s landmark Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights act of 1976 died on Tuesday at at DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital. She was 98.
The Detroit Democrat spent nearly two decades in the state House and co-sponsored the 1976 law that banned discrimination in employment and housing in Michigan.
She was a delegate to the 1961–1962 Michigan state constitutional convention from Wayne County 4th District, which resulted in Michigan’s Constitution of 1963. A Democrat, she represented Wayne County’s 4th District in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1963-1964, Michigan’s 22nd District, which replaced Wayne County’s 4th District, from 1965–1972, and Michigan’s 8th District from 1973–1978 and again from 1981–1982.
After learning of Elliott’s death: Mayor Duggan issued the following statement:
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan issued the following statement on the passing of Daisy Elliott, who died Tuesday at age 98. She authored and co-sponsored Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act:
“Daisy Elliott was a leader in the battle for civil rights and equality in Michigan. She spoke out against discrimination. She stood up for what was right. Even though it wasn’t necessarily the popular thing to do at the time, she did it because it was the right thing to do. We are proud that such a champion chose to call Detroit her home. Our thoughts are with her family.”
Visitation is noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27 at James H. Cole funeral home. Funeral services are 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28 at People’s Community Church in Detroit.
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