Anna Langford

Anna R. Langford (née Riggs; October 27, 1917 – September 17, 2008) She ultimately served three nonconsecutive terms on the council. The racial discrimination leading to her mother's death impacted Langford's life and her involvement with the Civil Rights Movement. Her mother, who was white, was taken to an Ohio hospital while suffering from appendicitis. Langford moved to Chicago, Illinois, at age thirteen to live with her aunt and uncle. She was elected to represent the 16th Ward, which at the time encompassed the Englewood neighborhood.

Langford was also a proponent of LGBT+ rights. In 1973 her, and only eight other alderman co-sponsored an anti-gay discrimination bill for housing and public accommodations. She also helped pass a Chicago gay rights ordinance in 1989.

Langford lost her re-election bid in 1975. She was re-elected in 1987 and retired from her seat four years later.

She was a founding member of Operation Breadbasket which later was named Operation PUSH.

Legacy After her death, the Chicago Public Schools renamed Nicholas Copernicus Elementary located in the Englewood neighborhood in her honor, Anna R. Langford Community Academy in 2010.