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Two Aurora City Council members have introduced a proposal to rename Aurora’s Central Library in honor of Edna Wilson-Mosley, the city’s first African American council member and a longtime community leader

Edna Wilson-Mosley was a pioneering civic leader born in 1925 in Helena, Arkansas. She worked in the World War II defense industry, was active in civil rights and women’s advocacy alongside her husband, Tuskegee Airman John Mosley, and became deeply involved in Aurora’s civic life after moving to the city in 1965.
 Her accomplishments include:

• Becoming Aurora’s first African American City Council member in 1991
• Serving on more than 40 boards
• Co-founding the Women’s Bank in 1978 to expand financial access for women
• Being inducted into the Colorado Black Hall of Fame and the Aurora Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame
   Aurora Public Schools named a school after her and her husband in 2015. She passed away in 2014.

Community members have asked the city to honor Wilson-Mosley’s legacy more fully. Sponsors of the initiative believe the library—a place of learning, literacy, and community gathering—is an especially fitting tribute to her work and impact.

Mayor Pro Tem Alison Coombs and Ward I Council Member Gianina Horton are co-sponsoring the proposal.

According to a 1993 city resolution, renaming any city facility must go through the Aurora Historic Preservation Commission. The city’s historic preservation specialist will present information about Wilson-Mosley’s life and contributions at two public meetings.

The commission will then meet in September to review the request and make a formal recommendation to City Council. If approved, City Council would adopt the name change by resolution. 

Residents can share their feedback at two public meetings or online throughout August.

Public Meeting Dates:

•    In-person: 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15 at Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda Parkway

•    Virtual: 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25