Hi John, I am one of the first Black women in the state to be admitted to the Florida Bar, the first Black woman to practice law in Hillsborough County, and the first Black person to practice law in Polk County. I’ve practiced law in the State of Florida for 55 years, making me the longest practicing Black female attorney in the State’s history. I served 16 years in the state legislature, first as a member of the Florida House and then in the Florida Senate, where I became the first Black woman to become the Senate Minority Leader. I haven’t just lived during historical moments, but I’ve been a part of them. I proudly serve as an esteemed Ruth’s List Board member. As a board member, it is important for me to highlight the importance of representation at every level of government. When I first began my political career in the 70s, there wasn’t an organization like Ruth’s List that recruited, trained, and elected Democratic pro-choice women into office. My grit and stamina were birthed from a place of wanting to be treated fairly and equally. So, I spoke out. I spoke out against the injustices that denied Black and Brown Floridians the right to vote, that prevented women from having autonomy over their bodies, and that forced segregation onto innocent children. |
