In Callie’s Honor

Robert J. Hansen | OBSERVER Staff Writer The Oak Park community on July 13 honored the life and work of Callie Carney, the first Black female member of the Sacramento City Council. Carney, who passed away Nov. 4, served on the City Council for District 5 from 1975-1977. The event held the day after what would have been her 89th birthday featured live music from United Voices of California, live dancers and an activity area for small children that brought youthful energy to the celebration. After Carney passed away, District 5 Councilmember Caity Maple wanted to honor her service to the community, said Mary Nance, Carney’s daughter. Mary Nance, Callie Carney’s daughter, remembers her mother at a trailblazer and family day at McClatchy Park on July 13. Erin Campbell, OBSERVER Nance said her mother was a champion for Oak Park, fighting to ensure funding and services came to a part of the city often overlooked. Nance said this will become an annual event honoring Black trailblazers. “We would like to tell our own stories of the history of Oak Park and if we don’t tell our stories, they’re not going to be told or they’re not going to be told...