Longtime Activist Passes Away

Tommie Thompson, a tireless volunteer for many progressive causes over the past few decades in Cincinnati and whose smiling face was known to many, died this morning. She was 72.

Among Thompson’s efforts, she was an advocate for housing issues that affect women, the elderly and low-income people. She also worked to improve the lives of people with mental illness, enforce the rights of prisoners and abolish the death penalty.

More recently, Thompson was a member of Women In Black, a group that gathered on street corners every Monday for five years to protest U.S. involvement in the Iraq War.

Thompson was an urban planner for the city of Cincinnati for 27 years, where she presided over several community plans, including the 1985 Over-the-Rhine plan, and helped craft the Colerain Connector Redevelopment plan.

Other groups that Thompson has helped include the Mental Health Association, the Woman’s City Club, Justice Watch, the Interfaith Hospitality Network, the Great Rivers Girl Scout Board, Friends of Women’s Studies and the Critical Issues Forum.

In April Thompson was chosen to receive the 14th annual Charles P. Taft Civic Gumption Award by the Charter Committee, Cincinnati’s de facto third political party. The Gumption Award commemorates Charlie Taft, a longtime Cincinnati City Council member known as “the reformer who never quit reforming.” Gumption Award winners reflect Taft’s independence and commitment to do what he believed was right, even in the face of adversity and criticism, Charter officials said.

A memorial service to commemorate Thompson’s life is planned but hasn’t yet been scheduled.

— Kevin Osborne

Comments

[Caleb Faux]

Tommie Thompson was a civic treasure and her loss is a sad day indeed for all of Cincinnati.

Caleb Faux

[Jan Connelly]

To "civic treasure" I would add "the model of sweet strength and gentle tenacity." Provided transportation for her on May 31 and June 1. Couldn't believe that frail body continued to go to two events in two days. I knew her only two years but it was always clear that she had a strong will to live, participate and contribute!

[Ted Jackson]

Tommie Thompson was an amazing person with an evergrowing heart! In 2003 and 2004 she volunteered relentlessly for the campaign to repeal Article XII. Tommie could be seen in the campaign office or at events every week during that campaign, making phone calls, doing data entry, recruiting volunteers, doing outreach at events, at house parties and walking door to door. There was not a campaign activity she didn't do, she would always call me and ask "what do you need this week" and would gladly do anything we asked of her. Her committment to the LGBT community was flawless. Her smile, heart and spirit will be missed...but will continue on in the memories of the many folks she helped along the way through a great life. I am very touched by her passing.

[John Heideman]

Not often mentioned about Tommie is that she sponsored a refugee family from Sudan, including 3 (now 4) small children, Mandila, Nazik, and Hawaidah.She brought them to the First Unitarian Church for Sunday School.They called her "Grandma".

[Northside]

I am so saddened by the news that another one of our Pioneering Mothers in Northside has passed.

Tommie was also a teacher & mentor in the Colerain Corridor Land Use Plans that were developed by residents & business owners under her professional guidance. To date, no other community has eclipsed such an effort.

Tommie, I will miss you & I want you to be at peace with great happiness.

[David Varady]

I too am saddened by Tommie's passing. Tommie was a student of mine in the School of Planning at UC, a ca-author of an article on local housing plans, and an adjunct professor at UC teaching courses such as Housing Systems (when I was off on sabbaticals), Planning Ethics, and Social Justice and the City. She also served on numerous thesis committees. I was amazed a couple of months to see Tommie come to a thesis committee in a wheelchair. Her impact on students through advising and teaching will be part of her legacy. I will miss her greatly.

David Varady
Professor of Planning
UC

[Shubhra Govind]

To me, Tommie was not only a mentor and exemplary planner, but also my "American Mom". I was one of many international students that Tommie encouraged, mentored and 'adopted'. Her zeal for making a positive change wherever possible and her spirit of true "community planning" was inspirational! Words can't describe the loss I feel right now and believe she was a wonderful person that influenced and touched many many lives. Tommie, I miss you!

[Annalee Duganier]

Tommie was my first boss in my planning career as a co-op planning student at UC. she was one of the few people who wholeheartedly supported me as a mother of 3 returning to finish my planning degree. later, i served on non-profit neighborhood development boards wiht Tommie and she was always the voice of reason. She did more than anyone I know to support individual women and causes for women and others in Cincinnati. I will miss her very much.

[Della Rucker]

A lot of people have commented on Tommie's impressive achievements. The one thing I can add is that the thing that always struck me about her was her relentless energy and her enthusiam for everything in life. People like her are so rare, and it feels like a real tragedy to lose that spirit from our daily lives.

[Not the Mamma Cass!]

How sad! Tommie was such a polite and dignified representative for the city. Back during the days of CNAS she took her role very seriously and gave her neighborhoods a level of attention and respect most councilmembers couldn't buy.

How many councilmembers even know that East Westwood has its own community council, let alone have ever shown up for their meetings? Tommie was always there.

She is missed.

[christian louboutin]

Everything comes to him who waits

[coach handbags]

Time is money , but money is not time.

[professional dissertation writers]

I'm sorry to hear this. My sincere condolences to everybody who was close to her

[Air Jordan]

Business underlies everything in our national life, including our spiritual life. Witness the fact that in the Lord's Prayer, the first petition is for daily bread. No one can worship God or love his neighbor on an empty stomach. Do you think so?

[Uggs for cheap]

Tommie, I will miss you & I want you to be at peace with great happiness.