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2006 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
Miriam Preston Block
Miriam Block's interest in people extended from
individuals and families to communities. Her
reputation of engaging the residents of her
community and seeking their opinions about local
policy matters was legendary. She had a driving
passion to serve Raleigh and all of its
citizens.
In 1973, there was a popular effort to change
Raleigh's form of government from an at-large
election of Council members to a district
system. Block, representing Southwest Raleigh's
District D, was the first woman elected under
the new system. Block won her election handily,
using two innovative strategies that are often
used today: she appointed a campaign manager and
she distributed yard signs and bumper stickers.
Once on the Council, Block was a vigorous
supporter of Raleigh's neighborhoods, especially
those in District D. She worked for the
upgrading of services for the African-American
neighborhood of Method and for the blue-collar
community of Caraleigh. Always pursuing greater
return for tax expenditures, she advocated
multiple use of school properties, resulting in
a swimming pool and a county library branch at
Athens Drive High School.
Block was a strong supporter of the new
Citizen's Advisory Councils, which gave
structure to neighborhood voices and concerns.
She advocated stricter zoning regulations and
the enforcement of those regulations. In the
1970's when new suburbs were being built in all
directions, she led the effort to require
sidewalks on major streets in all new
subdivisions.
Block strongly supported parks and greenways,
encouraging the city's purchase of land for Lake
Johnson Park. She pushed for the development of
the greenway system and was the initial
supporter of the Avent Ferry Bikeway. Block was
a persistent advocate of fiscal responsibility.
Noting that state government was not paying for
services the City of Raleigh provided to state
facilities, she approached the state
administration asking that the state pay its
fair share. They agreed, making a big change in
State-City relations.
Block was on the Council during a time of great
change in the city. She served 10 years, eight
years as District D representative and two years
in an at-large post. She chaired the Public
Works Committee for three terms. Block helped
open the door for women in politics by
supporting and advising women candidates and by
appointing them to city advisory boards.
Advocates of women's issues, environmental
concerns and neighborhood issues found Block
helpful in negotiating the hallways of city
government. After she left the Council, Block
continued to argue for responsible government
and to counsel those in power to exercise their
influence for the best interests of the
community.
By learning local governance, and then
demonstrating how it would be done fairly,
wholeheartedly and without any nonsense, Miriam
Preston Block showed others how they could do it
too. A political pioneer and champion of
neighborhoods, her impact lives on.
. . .
For more information, please write:
Raleigh Hall of Fame
PO Box 6128, Raleigh, NC 27628-6128
Or email information@raleighhalloffame.org
or call (919) 787-9617.
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