C. Bette Wimbish used her tenacious spirit to blaze new trails for women and African Americans all across Florida.Wimbish, who recently died at age 85, was the first black member of St. Petersburg’s City Council and also made history as the first black female lawyer in Pinellas County and the third in the state. She left her biggest mark in public life and civic activism, from leading desegregation efforts with her husband, the late Dr. Ralph Wimbish, to her work as a deputy commerce secretary under then-Gov. Reubin Askew.
Throughout her life, Wimbish engaged in numerous community and cooperative efforts which included: appointment as Vice Mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida (l971-1973); election to a four-year term on the City Council of St. Petersburg; served as Deputy Secretary of the Florida Department of Commerce and Assistant Secretary of the Florida Department of Commerce; member of the Florida Bar Association, Florida Government Bar Association, American Bar Association and National Bar Association; member of the NCNW, NAACP and National Urban League; and was recognized in Who’s Who Among Black Americans, Who’s Who in American Politics and In Florida Women of Distinction and Outstanding Women of Florida.
Wimbish earned a B. S. and J.D. from FAMU, where she was also became a member of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is survived by a daughter, Barbara W. Griffin; son Ralph Wimbish Jr. and his wife Grace; and two grandchildren.