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Hi John, it's Sen. Janet Petersen with the IA Senate Democrats.
Today’s Women’s History Month Wednesdays program will highlight the achievements of Willie Stevenson Glanton, the first Black woman elected to Iowa’s State House. Chip in to support more women of color in our state government >> |
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Today, we are highlighting the accomplishments of Willie Stevenson Glanton: the first Black woman elected to Iowa’s State House.
It’s important to recognize that while women in politics have historically faced an uphill climb in Iowa's history, women of color faced infinitely more obstacles – and this was especially true for Glanton.
Glanton forged a career for herself in law almost a decade before the Civil Rights Movement gained significant ground in the 1960s – she was admitted to the Iowa Bar in 1953, a year before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled school segregation as unconstitutional.
During her decades long tenure as a public servant, she:
🧑⚖️Became the first Black woman to become an assistant Polk County Attorney
🧑⚖️Became the first Black Woman to be elected president of the Iowa Chapter of the Federal Bar Association
🧑⚖️Served as a Board and Committee member at a number of organizations, including the NAACP and Des Moines University
🧑⚖️Was entrusted by the Kennedy administration with important diplomatic missions in Africa and Southeast Asian during the height of the Cold War
Stevenson Glanton was a true trailblazer and pioneer who dedicated her life to not only upholding the law but also fighting for both human services and civil rights.
John, our lawmakers should be representative of their constituents, and IA Dems are committed to electing more candidates of color who can bring different lived experiences to our General Assembly floor.
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In solidarity, Lara – Finance Director IA Senate Dems |
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