By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER Senior Staff Writer - Lauren Hammond, the first Black woman elected to the Sacramento City Council, died in her sleep at the age of 68 after a career of public service and community leadership, leaving behind a legacy of blazing a trail for those who would follow.
MEADOWVIEW – When then-Sacramento City Councilwoman Bonnie Pannell sat down with friend Larry Carr to make a list of people who could potentially be her successor for District 8, he thought he could help her, after all, he had already turned down the request for the position.
Larry Carr says he believes District 8 will be in good hands with the new leadership of Mai Vang on the Sacramento City Council. Carr served in the seat for six years.
Citing health concerns, Ms. Pannell, a longtime City Councilwoman, had privately announced that she would step down as the District 8 representative on June 23, 2014.
Carr was contemplating to run for a Sacramento County Board of Supervisors’ seat but he bypassed that to do other things with his life. Under the circumstances, Ms. Pannell was ill, though relentless.