Alice Rainville — a Camden pioneer
04/01/2009
Most of you have already heard about the passing of long-time Camden resident Alice Rainville who died on March 5, at age 80, at St. Therese at Oxbow Lake care facility in Brooklyn Park, where she had been ill for some time. Rainville was a true pioneer who blazed the political trail for local women by becoming the 4th Ward's first female "alderman," and then the first woman to serve as Minneapolis City Council President.
Rainville was appointed to the Minneapolis City Council in 1975 (filling John Derus' spot) to serve the 4th Ward, which covers most of Camden. Council members were called "aldermen" back then - and only three women had ever served on the council before Rainville. She once noted that it was ‘pretty lonely' being the only woman on the council, but she was persuasive and gained respect - and hence made things change for the city council and the city.
She was voted in as City Council President in 1980 and held that position until 1989. She was dedicated to the Camden Community yet recognized the importance of a strong downtown. Under her leadership, downtown Minneapolis grew into one of the Midwest's leading centers of commerce, while she practiced her ‘lean, but not mean' style of governing.
Rainville had grown up in a large family raised by their father (her mother had died when Alice was young.) The family was active in politics and Alice carried on that tradition. She was very active in DFL politics and ran various campaigns, all while being a widow raising seven children. (Alice's husband Richard, a Minneapolis Fire Fighter, died in 1969 at age 39.)
Rainville served the 4th Ward until 1997 - 22 years. She was a staunch advocate for the Camden Community and its residents for decades, and her legacy continues; her daughter, Barb Johnson, also represents the 4th Ward and is the current Minneapolis City Council President