Claudette Woodard passes

I just got word that former state representative Claudette Woodard, who represented my district from 2001-2006, died last night at age 64. Woodard served three terms in the seat that is now held by Barbara Boyd, covering Cleveland Heights, University Heights, East Cleveland and Cleveland' Ward 9.

Woodard was a Glenville High School graduate who later taught at her alma mater. She was also a member of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights school board for many years.

I had only one encounter with her. In 2006, the Rev. Rod Parsley of World Harvest Church came to Cleveland, ostensibly to "reach out" to his fellow clergy. He held the event at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church at 75th and Woodland. Since Parsley was an avid supporter of Ken Blackwell, who was then running for governor as a Republican, many were suspicious that his sudden interest in connecting with his Cleveland brethren and sistren had a political motivation.
(It actually turned out he was promoting himself and his extensive line of merchandise). The event drew a large crowd of picketers, many of them from the very vocal and conspicuous "Blacks Against Blackwell" group that operated that entire year. I went down to cover the event.

After talking to the picketers, I walked around back to see how many cars were in the parking lot to gauge the size of the crowd Parsley drew. There was a big Cadillac parked near the door, and I saw a short but ample figure behind the wheel, just sitting there with a pad and a pen. I walked over to see who it was.

It was Woodard. I introduced myself and asked what she was up to and why she didn't just go in. She said she was taking down names of people going in that she recognized — and she recognized quite a few. She was going to make it her business to find out why they were there and if they supported Parsley's nefarious aims.

It turned out the black community was not so easily duped into voting for a candidate simply because he was black, and a visit from the slick-talking Parsley couldn't change that. But I found it amusing that Woodard was playing the role of the neighborhood "auntie," keeping an eye on the children who might be straying from the path.

Rest in peace, Claudette.