Title: Marlene E. Johnson-Odom Aldermanic Records
Inclusive Dates: 1984-2002

Creators:

• Johnson-Odom, Marlene E.
• Milwaukee (Wis.). Common Council.

Call Number: City of Milwaukee Archival Collection 80

Quantity: 2.0 cubic ft. (7 boxes)

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

Records of Common Council Alderwoman Marlene E. Johnson-Odom who served Milwaukee's 6th District from 1980-2004. Collection contains correspondence, reports, subject files, ordinances, clippings, proclamations, awards/plaques and publications.

Note:

To request materials from this collection, create/login to your Special Collections Account.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-cmac0080

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Marlene E. Johnson-Odom graduated from North Division High School, attended Milwaukee Area Technical College (1975-1976) and then the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee where she earned a B.A. in 1979 in Community Education. Before serving as an alderwoman she taught etiquette at Milwaukee Public Schools and hosted a local television show. She was elected to the 6th district in 1980 and during her time in office she was on the Finance & Personnel Committee, Chairwoman of MATC Board of Trustees, member of the Housing Authority, Redevelopment Authority of Milwaukee and National League of Cities. She successfully worked toward changing N. 3rd street to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in honor of the civil rights leader. Johnson-Odom lost her bid for re-election in 2004 to Michael McGee, Jr.

Johnson-Odom served on the Common Council from 1980-2004. She passed away in 2017 as the longest serving alderwoman on Milwaukee’s Common Council as well as the longest serving African American. Her first husband, Ben Johnson, was the former Milwaukee 6th District Alderman (1971-1980) and Common Council President. She remarried John D. Odom in 1994.

This collection contains records from the City of Milwaukee’s 6th District Alderwoman, Marlene E. Johnson-Odom. This collection includes correspondence, reports, subject files, ordinances, clippings, proclamations, awards/plaques and publications. The original subject headings from aldermanic staff have been kept intact as much as possible. Some of her correspondence was previously organized in a binder, arrangement was kept. Specifically included are documents from the 1993 Milwaukee water crisis / cryptosporidium outbreak. The crisis began in spring of 1993 when residents began getting sick and cryptosporidium was discovered in the water supply.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by subject and then chronologically within each folder.

Johnson-Odom, Marlene E., Aldermanic Records, 1984-2002, Collection 80. City of Milwaukee Archival Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Archival Collections

• City Clerk Records. City of Milwaukee Archival Collection 17.

• Common Council Records. City of Milwaukee Archival Collection 6.

Publications and Other Items

Marlene E. Johnson-Odom newsletter

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials. The collection is open to all in accordance with state law. The public may view City of Milwaukee Archival Collections by appointment at the Central Library. To request an in-person appointment, create/login to your Special Collections Account. If you have any questions, please contact the Archives and Special Collections Department at mplarchives@milwaukee.gov.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

Milwaukee Public Library receives official materials from city departments via the Milwaukee City Records Center, pursuant to state statutes and city ordinances governing the permanent retention of city records.

Processing Information

Processed by Casey Lapworth, Processing Archivist, 2022.

Box   1 Folder   1	Aldermanic District #6 Profile, 1986
Box   1 Folder   2	Certificates, 1994-1996, undated
Box   1 Folder   3	Common Council Procedures and Rules, 1996
Box   1 Folder   4-6	Correspondence Binder, 1984-1994
Box   1 Folder   7	Cryptosporidium, 1994
Box   2 Folder   1	Disadvantaged Business Directory, 2001
Box   2 Folder   2	Fire Education Center, undated
Box   4 Folder   1	Finance and Personnel Committee, 2002
Box   2 Folder   3-4	Grant Funding Projects, 2000, undated
Box   2 Folder   5	Gypsy Moth, 2004
Box   2 Folder   6	Harambee Neighborhood Report, 1995
Box   2 Folder   7	Housing Plans, 2001-2002
Box   2 Folder   8	Lead Abatement, 1999
Box   2 Folder   9	Madame Teacher Tutor Series, 1999
Box   3 Folder   1	Milwaukee River Basin, 2001
Box   3 Folder   2	Newsletters, 1995-1999, undated
Box   3 Folder   3-4	Ordinance Restricting Advertisement of Tobacco Products, 1997-1998
Box   5-7	Plaques / Awards, 1983-1997
Box   3 Folder   5	Police, 1994
Box   3 Folder   6	Port of Milwaukee, 2000
Box   4 Folder   2	Proclamations / Recognitions (incl. one plaque), 1980-2002, undated
Box   3 Folder   7	Sale of Water, 1990-2001, undated
Box   3 Folder   8-9	Sourcebook for Common Council Members, 1992-1996
Box   4 Folder   3	Used Tire Ordinance, 1983, undated