Ann Bedsole

Ann Smith Bedsole (born Margaret Anna Smith; January 7, 1930 – December 1, 2025) was an American politician, businesswoman, community activist and philanthropist. She was the first Republican woman to serve in the Alabama House of Representatives and the first woman to serve in the Alabama Senate. In 2002, she was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor.

Early life Margaret Anna Smith was born on January 7, 1930, in Selma, Alabama, to Malcolm White Smith and Sybil Huey Smith. She graduated from Waynesboro High School in Waynesboro, Virginia, and later attended the University of Alabama and the University of Denver. She served on the Alabama Republican State Executive Committee in 1966.

In 1982, Callahan, a member of the Alabama Senate from the 34th district, vacated his seat. Bedsole ran with the Republican nomination for his seat and defeated Democratic nominee John Saad in the general election, becoming the first woman to serve in the Alabama Senate. For her first Senate re-election campaign, she printed campaign flyers that included a timetable for the state's hunting season on the back. She was appointed to serve on the Judiciary, Education, and Health committees and as chair of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry committee in 1987.

Gubernatorial campaign On November 1, 1993, Bedsole announced that she would seek the Republican nomination for Governor of Alabama in 1994. She selected Rex Elsasse, the former executive director of the Ohio Republican Party, to serve as her campaign manager. She placed second in the Republican primary, but was defeated in the primary runoff by Fob James.

During Alabama's 1998 gubernatorial election, Bedsole endorsed Democratic nominee Don Siegelman against Governor Fob James. In 2005, she unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Mobile. The school later added a library named in her honor. Additionally, she was the founder and president of the Alabama Forest Resources Center. Bedsole Jr. died in 2006. She was feted with a 90th birthday party by students at the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science in January 2020.

Bedsole died on December 1, 2025, at the age of 95.

Awards and honors Bedsole was recognized for her business and philanthropic activity by being named First Lady of Mobile in 1972, Mobilian of the Year in 1993, and Philanthropist of the Year in 1998.