Bracy Davis, who won a Special Election to finish the remainder of Thompson\u2019s term, said on social media<\/a> that the event is paying tribute to Thompson to \u201chonor her decades of leadership, her dedication to preserving African American history, and her unwavering service to the people of Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n Thompson died at age 76 in February<\/a> from knee replacement surgery complications.<\/p>\n Thompson was the Director of the Wells\u2019Built Museum of American-American History<\/a> in Orlando\u2019s Parramore district.\u00a0Fittingly, Senator Geraldine F. Thompson Way will be renamed on West South Street between South Division Avenue and U.S. 441, which passes by the museum.<\/p>\n \u201cSen. Geraldine Thompson was a force \u2014 a trailblazer, a historian, a fierce advocate, and a devoted mother and grandmother who worked every day to uplift all Floridians, ensuring that no one was left behind,\u201d U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost said in a statement at the time of her death.<\/p>\n Other lawmakers, both Republicans and Democrats, put out statements of support and tributes after her death.<\/p>\n Thompson, a Democrat, had represented Orlando in the Legislature for two decades. At one point, the Orlando Sentinel described her as the \u201cepicenter of Black history in Orlando.\u201d<\/p>\n She took people on bus tours of the city\u2019s Black history, wrote a book on Orlando\u2019s African American community, hosted Juneteenth events and helped launch Orlando\u2019s early celebrations to honor Martin Luther King Jr.\u00a0<\/p>\n Last month, officials gathered to open Harris Rosen Way<\/a>, the honorary roadway on International Drive between State Road 528 and Sand Lake Road.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/KIR25002-Web-Ad-3-e1760498324308.jpg\")
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