Gordon Fox is an American politician and the former Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. Elected in November 1992, he was the first openly gay African American to serve in a State Legislature, and the first openly gay state Speaker of the House … Read MoreGordon Fox (1961- )
A Democratic member of the Nevada Senate, Kelvin Atkinson made history in April 2013 by becoming the fifth openly LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) member, and the first black gay member of the Nevada legislature. He revealed his sexual orientation during a legislative debate surrounding … Read MoreKelvin Atkinson (1969- )
“Image Ownership: Public Domain” Hawaii State Senator Charles M. Campbell was born in North Carolina in 1918. He grew up there and received an A.D. degree from North Carolina College in Durham. He also received an M.A. degree from Howard University and a second M.A. … Read MoreCharles M. Campbell (1918-1986)
Dr. Dawn Mason is a former Washington State Representative for the 37th District, an adjunct professor for writing, a former member of the Board of Visitors at Antioch University Seattle, and a Vision and Planning Team Member for Cultural Reconnection (USA and Kenya). Mason was … Read MoreDawn Mason (1945- )
Idaho’s first African American State Senator, inspirational keynote speaker, trainer, and singer, Cherie Buckner-Webb, a fifth-generation Idahoan, was born October 20, 1951, in Boise. Buckner-Webb, her family, and other members of the small Black community in the state capital experienced multiple examples of racism. When … Read MoreCherie Buckner-Webb (1951- )
Former Nevada State Senator and recently elected United States Representative, Steven Alexzander Horsford was born on April 29, 1973 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Horsford became head of his household at ten years old, taking care of his younger siblings while his mother struggled with addiction … Read MoreSteven A. Horsford (1973- )
Former State Senator and Representative for Washington’s 26th District, William “Bill” Smitherman was born on July 31, 1943. He grew up in Lakewood and graduated from Clover Park High School in 1962. He and his wife Karen, a retired Tacoma public school teacher and administrator, … Read MoreWilliam Smitherman (1943- )
Avel Louise Gordly was the first African American woman elected to the Oregon State Senate. In addition to a public service career in politics and criminal justice, she has been an educator, advocate for mental health services, and activist against apartheid in South Africa. Avel … Read MoreAvel Louise Gordly (1947- )
Peggy Joan Maxie was the first black woman elected to public office in Washington State. She served as Washington State Representative, position no. 2 in the 37th Legislative District in Seattle, from 1971 through 1982. Maxie was born August 18, 1936, in Amarillo, Texas to … Read MorePeggy Joan Maxie (1936-2024)
Eric Pettigrew is the former Washington State Representative for the 37th Legislative District representing Southeast Seattle, Washington and its suburbs. Representative Pettigrew grew up in South Central Los Angeles. After graduating from Nogales High School in the City of Industry, California, he enrolled in Oregon … Read MoreEric Pettigrew (1960- )
