Lawyer, educator, long-time Democratic organizer, fundraiser, volunteer

Zephyr Tate Mann died August 23, while undergoing treatment for cancer. Zephyr was born in Overton, Texas to Zachariah and Annie Belle Wilson (later Watson). “Zachariah and Annie Belle must have known right away that Zephyr would be a changemaker: the couple gave their only daughter a name that means a moving wind or breeze,” her family shared.

“Zephyr continually transformed herself through education and in turn transformed others,” her family said. She graduated from North Texas University in Denton, Texas, with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history. Furthering her education, she earned a Master of Science in school administration from California State University, Fullerton, and earned a community college teaching credential, two standard secondary life teaching credentials, and an administrative credential. “Zephyr was also rightfully proud of earning a Juris Doctor of Law from Western University College of Law in Fullerton,” her family added.

“Zephyr positively influenced the lives of many people,” her family said.  As a passionate school-to-career educator at Ganesha High School in Pomona, she authored an educational pamphlet entitled “Medical Health Care: Career Prep Path.” Her savvy business skills led to the founding and growth of ABM Construction and Investment, which she co-owned with her husband, Rudy Mann.

Her political and volunteer activities are too numerous to list, but highlights include being appointed to the California Earthquake Authority by then-Governor Jerry Brown in 2012; being named “woman of the year” by then California Assembly member Chris Holden in 2013; and organizing programs to present U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congresswoman Juanita McDonald to the inland valley under the auspices of the Tri-Counties Black American Political Association, where she was vice chair.

She was also a member of the LA County Democratic Central Committee and a delegate to the Democratic State Central Committee, where she was a member of the Native American Caucus, Women’s Caucus, and African-American Caucus.

Locally, she belonged to the League of Women Voters and Active Claremont, and served on the board of directors of the Pomona Valley Human Relations Council. She was an executive board member, vice president and then president of Claremont’s Democratic Club, expanding its activities and visibility in our community.

She served as treasurer for the 59th Assembly District Committee and organized televised political forums in the inland valley for the 1998 primary and 2000 general election. As a member of the LA County Democratic Party’s committee, which evaluates candidates for judge, she personally organized local public forums with judicial candidates during election years, and publicized endorsed candidates, who would have otherwise been largely unknown to many voters.

She and her husband Rudy led the Inland Communities Democratic HQ PAC, which raised funds to establish a permanent Democratic resource center for our area. They also operated the local Democratic campaign headquarters in 2012 and 2016 presidential election years.

She also lent her talents and energy to many civic groups including the American Businesswomen’s Association, Black Women Lawyers’ Association, and San Gabriel Valley NAACP.

She was a devoted caretaker for her mother, Annie Belle Wilson Watson, until Mrs. Watson died. “Zephyr and her husband Rudy resided in Claremont, where they remained committed to improving the surrounding community with their business and political activism,” her family said. “She welcomed Rudy’s daughter Leah with whom she shared many heart-to-heart talks. Zephyr could also be found in conversation with her nieces Shemanne and Jaymie, chatting about the latest political events and their respective careers. As a family historian, Zephyr helped cousins and other extended family members understand the rich legacy of their ancestors.

“She also enjoyed her church family. Sundays were a sacred time when Zephyr could nourish her spirit through worship. Her most recent place of fellowship was Friendship Baptist Church in Yorba Linda, California.

“So many people will cherish Zephyr’s memory. The list includes but is not limited to her husband Rudy Mann and his daughter Leah; her brother James Lorthridge and his wife Connie; nieces Jaymie Lorthridge and Shemanne Nickerson; cousins Carl Lewis and Joe Cecil; and many other cousins and friends.”

A public memorial service and graveside burial service have already been held.

Donations in memory of Zephyr Tate Mann are encouraged to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org; the American Association for Cancer Research at donate.aacr.org; the Cancer Research Institute at give.cancerresearch.org; the National Foundation for Cancer Research at nfcr.org/ways-to-give; or the Breast Cancer Research Foundation at give.bcrf.org.