Ward 1 Alderwoman Zinnia Howze-Wince
By Mark H. Stowers
The Bolivar Bullet
Cleveland voters put a new face on the Board of Aldermen as Zinnia Howze-Wince was elected as alderwoman of Ward 1. As a Bolivar County resident, Howze-Wince has worked to educate and improve the city and the county. Educated at McEvans Elementary School in Shaw, she continued through Eastwood Junior High (now D.M. Smith Junior High) and then East Side High School in Cleveland.
“I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Delta State University and a Master of Education degree in Elementary Education from Mississippi Valley State in Itta Bena,” said Howze-Wince.
Her working career in education spanned three decades and each level of education.
“I am a retired educator with 32 years of experience that encompassed various positions – elementary teacher, gifted teacher, reading specialist, academic interventionist, assistant principal, middle school principal, high school principal, and district administrator,” she said.
After serving the educational community, Howze-Wince decided to put her experience to work for the city and the residents of Cleveland.
“I vied for Ward One’s alderperson’s position to be the voice for my constituents to share their concerns. I believe, ‘to whom much is given, much is required’ (Luke 12:48), and I know that I have great deal to give. I have always been a servant leader; therefore, serving the residents of Ward One is an honor and a privilege.”
Though new to government service, Howze-Wince is no stranger to community volunteer and service work.
“Although this is my first elected position, I have served as a member of the Cleveland Store’s Salvation Army’s Board of Directors since 2019,” she said. “What do I bring to the table: As the representative of Ward One’s constituents, I bring first and foremost, a willingness to serve, along with leadership, hard work, commitment, and dedication.”
And, the former educator always has a lesson plan of sorts – even as an alderwoman.
“I hope to join my colleagues, as the governing body for the City of Cleveland, in an effort to make Cleveland the number one small town in Mississippi to live and raise a family.”