Community leader Sandy Rowland – who saw all the good in Bowling Green, and who worked to correct all that could be better – died Wednesday, April 17, from injuries sustained in a car crash on April 3.
Rowland, who served as a member of Bowling Green City Council for 10 years as an at-large representative, had a can-do attitude in city government and community involvement.
She had worked as a real estate agent and prior to that she was a regional director for the Humane Society of the United States for 27 years.
In 2020, Rowland was named Outstanding Female Citizen of the Year.
In her terms on City Council, Rowland demonstrated a deep understanding of civil service and the obligations of servant leadership. She was forward thinking and dedicated to the prospect of creating a community that has appeal as a wonderful place to work, raise children, interact with vibrant community members, and play.
Rowland, a Democrat, showed her leadership qualities in the organizations she chose to serve – League of Women Voters, Bowling Green Exchange Club, BG Human Relations Commission, Habitat for Humanity of Wood County, Welcome BG, BRAVE, East Side Neighborhood Association, and Maumee Valley Unitarian Church. She was a reliable volunteer with Black Swamp Arts Festival, Project Connect, BG Art Walk, La Conexion, Firefly Nights, Winterfest, and Not In Our Town.
She worked closely with LaConexion to add a whistleblower clause to the city’s anti-discrimination ordinances.
“I love solving problems for residents,” Rowland said at the time. “We want to be welcoming, no matter your color or country you came from.”
Several fellow community members were motivated over the years to write letters of support for Rowland.
Mayor Mike Aspacher wrote: “Sandy is dedicated to her Council responsibilities and has worked tirelessly to listen to the community and advocate for Bowling Green. As long-serving Chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee Sandy has supported and been involved in numerous efforts to maintain and enhance our parks, recognizing the importance of Parks and Recreation to all ages of our citizens.
“Sandy is one who is proud of her community and seeks to be a supporter of Bowling Green businesses and people. Her kindness and approachableness make her stand out as a genuine person who truly cares for her community and wants to work in support of Bowling Green.”
Amy Jeffers, who worked with Rowland at the Brown Bag Food Project, said: “Since our first days in operation, Sandy has been a stalwart supporter of the organization. Her willingness to jump right in and do what is needed to help us to succeed has been amazing. Sandy has brought her support in various forms from purchasing caramel apples for a fundraiser (actually, she holds the record for most apples purchased) to raising impressive monetary funds.
“For several years, Sandy has personally gone with us to distribute food to migrant workers. She is willing to use her time to sit and talk with the migrant workers that are so important to our local economy. Sandy is far more than a mouthpiece of BG support. She is out in the community and giving back in so many important, and often unseen, ways.”
Lindsay Jo Durham wrote: “Her working on the racial equity resolution that passed last year is just one example of this. Sandy Rowland stands for what is right while also holding herself to a high ethical standard. She helps our community by being involved in our community. Sandy Rowland leaves a positive impact wherever she goes.
“Time after time, councilwoman Rowland reached out to marginalized members of the community in order to amplify their voices,” Durham said. “Time after time, I’d run into her volunteering at communal events. And time after time, councilwoman Rowland represented Bowling Green with dignity and grace.”
Tim Carr wrote: “Sandy consistently expresses her support and caring for all residents of Bowling Green. Her opinions on issues are developed on input from residents, not solely on her personal beliefs or opinions. She understands the diversity of our citizens and seeks to understand the ways council decisions will impact a wide variety of individuals. When she casts a vote, she is well informed and well versed on community reaction and opinion.”
And Scott and Karen Seeliger wrote: “Her leadership on City Council is effective because she doesn’t lead alone. Sandy excels at working with people, communicating with people and creating a chemistry that elevates everyone’s production.”
A full obituary will be published in the coming weeks and a Celebration of Life is being planned to be held at a later date.
Arrangements will be announced by Dunn Funeral Home in Bowling Green.
