Carolyn Long Banks

Carolyn Long Banks (October 30, 1940 – April 12, 2023) was an American civil rights activist and politician who helped found the Atlanta Student Movement and was the first black woman to serve on the Atlanta City Council.

Early life and education A fourth-generation Atlantan, Banks was born in McDonough on October30, 1940, to Ralph A. Long, Sr. and Rubye Carolyn Hall Long. She had a brother, Ralph.

Initially, Banks planned to study fashion design at either UCLA or Pratt Institute, but she agreed to attend Clark University, her parents' alma mater, for a year.

During the Atlanta sit-ins, Banks was arrested at least four times, including in 1960 during a sit-in at Rich's to protest its segregated restaurant, Magnolia Room. Banks was joined by Lucille Scott of the Atlanta Daily World; she ordered a salad. She won re-election to the seat multiple times.

During her tenure, Banks sponsored legislation to ban AK-47 assault rifles, and also was in office during the Atlanta child murders from 1979 through 1981. "I participated in all 26 funerals," said Banks. "It was very difficult."

During Freaknik in the early 1990s, Banks was opposed to mayor Bill Campbell's plans to block off neighborhoods and stop wild behavior, worried the tactics could spark violence. She added that "the city too busy to hate is gearing up for the confrontation of its life".

Banks was the president of the National League of Cities in 1994. The next year, Banks and fellow council member Robb Pitts both took the opportunity to run for Council President. Banks lost the race to Pitts.

Personal life Banks converted to Catholicism when she turned eighteen; she attended Saint Paul of the Cross in Atlanta. She was also a lifetime member of the NAACP.

Banks's ex-husband was in the United States Army Ordnance Corps and served in the Vietnam War. They divorced in 1969. Banks had two children: a daughter, April, and a son, James.

Banks died on April12, 2023, at the age of 82.

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