Bonner Wagnon

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Mary Bonner Wagnon (born c. 1960; died May 19, 2015) was the program director for the Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham.

Wagnon was the daughter of Macbeth and Nancy Wagnon. She graduated from Mountain Brook High School and earned a bachelor's degree with a major in political science at Birmingham-Southern College in 1983. As a student she worked alongside Ann McMillan on George McMillan's 1982 campaign for Governor of Alabama.

After graduating, Wagnon worked as a legislative information specialist for the Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives for four years. She left that job to become program coordinator for the CORO Foundation's "Women in Leadership" campaign. In 1990 she was hired as director of development for the Library Theatre in Washington D.C.

Wagnon returned to Birmingham in 1992 as director of development, community life programs, membership and volunteers for the Lakeshore Foundation. She married James Donald in 1995.

Wagnon has been deeply involved in promoting arts, education and culture. She worked part-time coordinating accessibility for the City Stages music festival. She also volunteered as a reading tutor with Better Basics.

In 2004 Wagnon was named director of programs for the Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham. She spearheaded creation of the council's Birmingham365.org events website in 2011.

Wagnon was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and died in 2015.

References

  • Garrison, Greg (May 22, 2015) "Bonner Wagnon made her mark in politics, art scene and non-profit work." The Birmingham News