FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

October 21, 2025 

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Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags to Honor Former Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick 

LANSING, Mich. -- Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex to be lowered to half-staff on Wednesday, October 22 to honor and remember former Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick. The flag lowering will coincide with the date of the funeral. 

"Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick was a stalwart voice for Detroit,” said Governor Whitmer. “Whether it was civil rights or humanitarian aid, Congresswoman Kilpatrick was never afraid to break barriers and stand up for what she believed in. She was also a staunch ally of the auto industry, supporting efforts to rescue General Motors and Chrysler during the 2008 Great Recession. Congresswoman Kilpatrick was also a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. My thoughts are with her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her.”  

Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick was born and raised in Detroit. She graduated from Detroit High School of Commerce and earned her Bachelor of Science at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. She later earned her Master of Science from the University of Michigan in 1977. She started her career as a high school teacher.  

In 1978, she was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives where she represented Oakland and Wayne counties. As a state Representative, Kilpatrick became the first Black woman to serve on the House Appropriations Committee, chairing the Corrections and Transportation subcommittees. 

 In 1996, she challenged three-term incumbent Barbara-Rose Collins in the primary for what was then the 15th district. Defeating Collins by a shocking margin, Kilpatrick joined the U.S. House of Representatives where she served until 2011. During her time in the U.S. House, Kilpatrick would become the second Black woman assigned to the Appropriations Committee. 

Throughout her time in public office, Congresswoman Kilpatrick delivered federal funding for alternative-fuel buses, summer youth programs, pre-college engineering instruction, children's TV programming, enhanced rehabilitation services at the Detroit Medical Center, and more.  

Former Congresswoman Kilpatrick is survived by her two children, Kwame and Ayanna, and eight grandchildren.  

The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor, and service of former Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick by lowering flags to half-staff. To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.  

Flags should be returned to full staff on Thursday, October 23. 

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