Alma Powell

Alma Powell
Powell in 2012
Born
Alma Vivian Johnson

(1937-10-27)October 27, 1937
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
DiedJuly 28, 2024(2024-07-28) (aged 86)
Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
EducationFisk University (BA)
Emerson College (MS)
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1962; died 2021)​
Children3; including Michael and Linda

Alma Vivian Powell (née Johnson; October 27, 1937 – July 28, 2024) was an American audiologist and the wife of military and political figure Colin Powell,[1] to whom she was married from August 25, 1962 until his death in 2021.[2]

Biography

Born on October 27, 1937, in Birmingham, Alabama, Alma Powell graduated from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, and went on to study speech pathology and audiology at Emerson College in Boston.[citation needed]

She was the mother of former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Michael Powell.[3] She also had two daughters, Linda Powell, an actress, and Annemarie Powell.[4] Her father and uncle were principals of two high schools in Birmingham; Condoleezza Rice's father worked in her uncle's school as a guidance counselor.[5]

Powell was the chair of America's Promise, the nation's largest partnership dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth. She also authored two children's books, America's Promise and My Little Red Wagon.[6][7] In 2011 she was named the NASBE's National Education Policy Leader of the Year along with her husband.[8][9]

Powell died in Alexandria, Virginia, on July 28, 2024, at the age of 86.[10][11]

References

  1. ^ "Alma Powell Says She Worried For Husband's Safety". CNN. March 11, 1996. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  2. ^ Roberts, Roxanne (March 8, 2013). "Alma Powell celebrated at ladies' lunch for 50th wedding anniversary, 75th birthday". Washington Post. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  3. ^ Faye Fiore, Maria L. La Ganga (November 9, 1995). "The Powell Announcement". LA Times. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  4. ^ "Framed photograph of Alma, Annemarie, Michael, and Linda Powell". National Museum of African American History and Culture. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  5. ^ "Opinion | Condoleezza Rice: Colin Powell's greatest legacy is in the people he inspired". Washington Post. October 19, 2021. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  6. ^ DaFonte, Jessica (March 17, 2003). "Grownup Girl Scout". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  7. ^ "Children's Review: 'America's Promise'". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  8. ^ Mack, Julie (September 27, 2013). "Kalamazoo first-graders are foot soldiers in drive to create fully literate community". MLive. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  9. ^ "Gen. Colin Powell and Alma Powell Named National Education Policy Leaders of the Year". NASBE. Archived from the original on April 23, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  10. ^ Vries, Karl de (July 29, 2024). "Alma Powell, wife of late Secretary of State Colin Powell, dies at 86 | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  11. ^ Javaid, Maham (July 29, 2024). "Alma Powell, civic leader and widow of Colin Powell, dies at 86". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
Stub icon

This biographical article related to politics in the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.