Stretch of downtown Orlando renamed to honor late Sen. Geraldine Thompson

Street designation for State Senator Geraldine F. Thompson

A stretch of South Street in downtown Orlando will be renamed in honor of late state Sen. Geraldine F. Thompson.

ORLANDO, Fla. - The late state Sen. Geraldine F. Thompson was honored Friday with a road dedication in downtown Orlando. 

What we know:

A stretch of West South Street has been renamed "Senator Geraldine F. Thompson Way" after the longtime politician who died earlier this year. 

The sign was installed near the Wells'Built Museum, which was a special site for Thompson. She led the campaign to preserve the historical former Wells'Built Hotel before it became a museum.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis were among the city and state leaders at the ceremony to honor Thompson's years of service and leadership in the Orlando community.

"She leaves a lasting legacy here in our community, and I truly would count her as one of the people that has helped make Orlando the welcoming community that it is, and the city that embraces diversity in the fashion that it does," Dyer said at the ceremony.

A sign for Senator Geraldine F. Thompson Way on West South Street. 

Thompson remembered as a trailblazer

Thompson died in February at the age of 76 from complications following knee replacement surgery. 

Thompson, a Democrat, was known as an educator and a trailblazer. She served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2026 to 2012. When she was elected in 2018, she became the first female Democrat and person of color to serve Florida House District 44. She was later elected to the state senate, representing District 15 in West Orange County. 

"Senator Geraldine Thompson was a true trailblazer in Florida politics," the Florida Democratic Party said in a statement at the time of her death. "A lifelong public servant and a fighter for civil rights, her impact on Florida stretched far beyond the average elected official."