The Rochester community is mourning the loss of one of the area's leaders in the civil rights movement.

Constance Mitchell passed away Friday.

She was the first African-American woman elected to Monroe County's board of supervisors, which is now the county legislature. She also participated with many organizations, including the United Way and the Urban League of Rochester.

Mitchell and her husband John also co-founded Action for a Better Community.

City leaders remembered her contributions to the community and her legacy after news broke. 

“As a person who was interested in the plight of African-American people, she knew what was happening. She predicted the unrest that would become later known as the riots of 64," said Carvin Eison, director of the documentary "July '64." 

Eison, referring to a three-day race riot that erupted in two erupted in two African-American neighborhoods in Rochester in 1964, says Mitchell’s push for change was vital.

"She understood the connections between poverty, racial inequality. She understood that and how it resonates today," he continued.

Former Rochester Mayor, Bill Johnson was reluctant to run for office in 1993 but says Mitchell was supportive.

“I would call on her for counseling and advice and she was just very generous with her time. I don’t feel devastated or sad, I feel fortunate that I even had the opportunity to know her for 45 years," Jophnson said.

Rochester City Council Vice President Adam McFadden says the many conversations had with Mitchell over the years helped mold his success.

“A lot of it dealt with the history of taking care of our people, in terms of once you get into elected office what is expected of you. To have her support very early on in my career was very instrumental becoming the elected official I am today.”