Shirley Coleman

Coleman was first elected in January 1991 after former Alderman Anna Langford decided not to run again. Before the 1995 city election, it became public that Coleman's former husband, Hernando Williams, was on death row awaiting execution for the 1978 kidnapping, rape, and murder of Linda Goldstone, but Coleman was re-elected despite that new information. As alderman, Coleman focused on issues of crime and poverty which are major problems in her ward. Coleman served on six committees: Budget and Government Operations; Committees, Rules and Ethics; Education; Finance; Health; and License and Consumer Protection (where she served as Vice Chairman). In addition to serving as Alderman, Coleman also served as the Democratic Committeeman for sixteen years from 1992 until 2008.

Coleman has been married twice, first to Hernando Williams from 1973 until 1977 and presently to David Coleman since 1979. Coleman has two daughters, Shirlynda (b. 1976; with Hernando Williams) and Stephanie (b. 1988; with her husband David Coleman) who is currently serving as the Democratic Committeemen, making them the first mother and daughter team to have served as such in this capacity. Coleman has five grandchildren. Since October 1999, Coleman has been the pastor at the Spiritual Wholistic Ministries of Love & Faith where she delivers sermons and teaches Bible classes. During her years as pastor, Coleman has reached over 10,000 vessels through various outreach programs: prison ministry, food and clothing, and community outreach. Stemming from her Englewood roots, Coleman is now a resident of the Village of Riverdale, and working hard to meet the needs of the residents of the village.

Hernando Williams was executed for his crime on March 22, 1995.^[5][6] On March 30, 1978, Williams, robbed and kidnapped Linda Goldstone in Chicago, then took her to a motel and raped her. He released her two days later, only to then shoot and kill her when she tried to get help.^[7]