On Sept. 21, 1994, three candidates for Omaha mayor submitted petitions and paid their $100 filing fees. One of those candidates was City Council member Brenda Council.
A labor attorney for Union Pacific Railroad at the time, Council was trying to become the city's first Black mayor. She was the third woman to be nominated for the office, though none had won. The others were environmentalist Isabel Cohen in 1993 and then-City Councilwoman Betty Abbott in 1977.
Making a difference was a part of her family code.
Born Brenda Warren to parents who worked for the Veterans Administration and at the Swift meatpacking plant, she was the only Black woman in her 1977 Creighton University Law School class. She was also the first female youth football official in Omaha.
She ran to become mayor of Omaha in 1994 and 1997, and lost both times.
During the 1994 campaign former U.S. Rep. Hal Daub and Council emerged from a field of eight to advance to a runoff election for Omaha mayor.
Daub was able to sweep past the then-councilwoman to a resounding election victory.
In the 1997 rematch, Daub squeaked by Council winning by 735 votes in the second-closest mayoral election in the city's modern history.
She climbed to Omaha's upper echelons as senior counsel for Union Pacific and partner at Kutak Rock. She was also elected to the Omaha Public Schools board and Nebraska Legislature. She retired in 2019 after a career that included many highs and some stumbles.
Council continues to live in North Omaha as she has nearly all her life. She's continued to push for changes important to her neighbors, friends and former constituents.
Let's reminisce on a career dedicated to community and marked by trailblazing.
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Brenda Council became a new Omaha Public Schools board member in 1982.
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Brenda Council was elected president of the Omaha Public Schools board in 1985.
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Brenda Council, right, was the first female youth football official in Omaha. This photo was taken in 1985.
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Brenda Council officiated high school basketball games in Omaha in 1985.
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Brenda Council, pictured here in 1994, served on the Omaha City Council from 1993-97.
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Brenda Council exits the Omaha OIC at 24th and Locust Streets after casting her vote for Omaha mayor in 1994. She ran for the seat in 1994 and 1997, and lost both times.
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Brenda Council with her by husband, Otha, during her first run for mayor of Omaha in 1994.
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Pictured in her first contest for Omaha mayor against Hal Daub in 1994, Brenda Council and Daub face off in a debate at Omaha City Hall, which was sponsored by the League of Women Voters.
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Brenda Council, left, ran for Omaha mayor against Hal Daub, center, twice: Once in 1994, when this photo was taken, and again in 1997. She lost both times.
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Brenda Council shares a moment with former Omaha City Councilwoman Betty Abbott in 1994.
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Susie Buffett, left, and Brenda Council celebrate as the "yes" vote pulls ahead in the May 11, 1999, special bond issue election in Omaha.
JEFF BEIERMANN/THE WORLD-HERALD
New owners of former Allen's Showcase, attorney Brenda Council and businessman Jerry Gill, stand outside the establishment at 24th Lake Street. The night spot with big name acts operated from 2001-07.
RUDY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
State Sen. Brenda Council walks the route before the annual Juneteenth parade was called off halfway through the start as a severe thunderstorm moved into the metro area in 2012.
JAMES R. BURNETT/THE WORLD-HERALD
Brenda Council retired April 30 from her Women's Fund position. Making a difference is part of her family code.
BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERALD Photos: Brenda Council through the years
Brenda Council became a new Omaha Public Schools board member in 1982.
THE WORLD-HERALD
Brenda Council was elected president of the Omaha Public Schools board in 1985.
THE WORLD-HERALD
Brenda Council, right, was the first female youth football official in Omaha. This photo was taken in 1985.
THE WORLD-HERALD
Brenda Council officiated high school basketball games in Omaha in 1985.
THE WORLD-HERALD/
Brenda Council, pictured here in 1994, served on the Omaha City Council from 1993-97.
THE WORLD-HERALD/
Brenda Council exits the Omaha OIC at 24th and Locust Streets after casting her vote for Omaha mayor in 1994. She ran for the seat in 1994 and 1997, and lost both times.
THE WORLD-HERALD
Brenda Council with her by husband, Otha, during her first run for mayor of Omaha in 1994.
THE WORLD-HERALD
Pictured in her first contest for Omaha mayor against Hal Daub in 1994, Brenda Council and Daub face off in a debate at Omaha City Hall, which was sponsored by the League of Women Voters.
THE WORLD-HERALD
Brenda Council, left, ran for Omaha mayor against Hal Daub, center, twice: Once in 1994, when this photo was taken, and again in 1997. She lost both times.
THE WORLD-HERALD/
Brenda Council shares a moment with former Omaha City Councilwoman Betty Abbott in 1994.
THE WORLD-HERALD/
Susie Buffett, left, and Brenda Council celebrate as the "yes" vote pulls ahead in the May 11, 1999, special bond issue election in Omaha.
JEFF BEIERMANN/THE WORLD-HERALD
New owners of former Allen's Showcase, attorney Brenda Council and businessman Jerry Gill, stand outside the establishment at 24th Lake Street. The night spot with big name acts operated from 2001-07.
RUDY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
State Sen. Brenda Council walks the route before the annual Juneteenth parade was called off halfway through the start as a severe thunderstorm moved into the metro area in 2012.
JAMES R. BURNETT/THE WORLD-HERALD
Brenda Council retired April 30 from her Women's Fund position. Making a difference is part of her family code.
BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERALD