Long-Serving Birmingham City Council Member Valerie Abbott to Retire After 24 Years

Valerie Abbott, one of Birmingham's longest-serving city council members, has announced her retirement. Abbott, who has represented District 3 since 2001, plans to step down at the end of her current term next year. She has served for 24 years across six terms, working alongside six mayors, from Bernard Kincaid in 2001 to the current mayor, Randall Woodfin.

Abbott's time on the council makes her the second-longest-serving member in Birmingham’s history, following William Bell, who served for 25 years. "It's time for me to step aside and let a younger person begin their public service journey," Abbott said. "It takes a few terms to really learn how the public sector functions because it's different from the private sector. I've been searching for a successor for several years because I want to leave District 3 in capable, honest hands."

Currently, Abbott serves as chair of the Planning and Zoning Committee and is a member of several other committees, including Administration, Budget and Finance, Governmental Affairs and Public Information, and Public Improvements and Beautification. Before her council role, Abbott worked with AT&T Services for nearly 45 years, retiring in 2018. A Birmingham native from Glen Iris, she served as a neighborhood officer for about 19 years.

Her inspiration to run for city council came from watching former District 3 Councilor David Herring, who she admired for his professional handling of city matters and careful spending of city funds. Abbott first ran for the council in 1993 but lost to Jimmy Blake. She ran again four years later but was defeated once more. "The third time, I thought, either it's a charm, or it's time to take the hint," Abbott said. "And I won."

Over the years, Abbott has built a reputation for rarely missing council meetings, neighborhood gatherings, or city events. She is known for staying in close contact with her constituents and has often been called the "voice of reason" on the council. "I think that will be on my tombstone – the voice of reason – because so many people say that," she joked.

Abbott’s retirement marks the end of an era for Birmingham’s District 3, where she has been a steady and dedicated public servant.