Former Detroit City Councilwoman, senior pastor at West Side Unity Church, and radio personality Rev. Dr. JoAnn Watson passed away suddenly on Monday, July 10, 2023, at the age of 72.
Rev. Dr. Watson, who received the Michigan Chronicle’s Women of Excellence 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award, was born in Detroit on April 19, 1951. Her life was defined by her unwavering commitment to community activism and public service, as well as her overall advocacy to the betterment of the city of Detroit. She was also the first woman to serve as the Executive Director of the Detroit Chapter of the NAACP.
A 1968 graduate of Detroit Central High School, Watson received her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Michigan and has been recognized by the university as a Distinguished Alumnus. In 1996, the University of Michigan also awarded Watson the Leonard F. Sain Esteemed Alumni Award and she was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Humanities.
Rev. Dr. Watson’s service also extended into the classroom, where she served as an associate professor at Wayne County Community College a faculty member at the Unity Urban Ministerial School.
She first became a public official in 2003 when she filed to run in a special election to fill a vacancy left by Councilwoman Brenda Scott following her death in September 2002.
In 2013, Watson retired from city council, with city leaders subsequently hosting a celebration of her career at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and Dick Gregory headlining the ceremony.
Current City Council President Mary Sheffield, in a statement, shared her sincerest condolences and prayers to her family, friends, and the scores of Detroiters and Americans whose lives she touched.
“The City of Detroit, the nation, and the world lost a true Detroit and civil rights icon. Mother Watson, as we all so affectionately called her, was a trailblazer, stalwart and one of kind freedom fighter who loved her people and the Lord,” Sheffield said.
“Mother Watson, the first woman to serve as the Executive Director at the Detroit NAACP, former Detroit City Council Member and a former delegate to the 2001 United Nations World Conference on Racism, laid the blueprint for fighting on all fronts for equality and freedom. There are so many elected officials, leaders, advocates, pastors, business professionals and community leaders that are who they are because Mother Watson was who she was – present company included.
“I had the distinct honor of appointing Mother Watson to the Detroit’s first-ever Reparations Task Force recently, in honor of her life’s work and dedication around the issue. Further honoring her legacy, we launched the Task Force at her church and having the opportunity to appoint her, along with our subsequent conversations, are memories I will cherish for the rest of my life,” Sheffield added.
Hiram Jackson, Publisher of the Michigan Chronicle and CEO of Real Times Media, said the passing of Dr. Rev. Watson will leave a void in the hearts of everyone who knew her or knew of her.
“The life works of Dr. Rev. JoAnn Watson have been so monumental and impactful to people in this city and around the country. She truly embodied the spirit of community activism, leadership, and excellence,” Jackson said.
“The Michigan Chronicle had the honor and privilege of presenting her with the 2023 Women of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this year, and if we had dedicated the whole night to nothing more than reading off all of her accolades and accomplishments, we still wouldn’t have had enough time to give her the recognition she deserves for her life of service.”
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