These trailblazers made a difference
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Team, in honor of Black History Month starting today, we wanted to share the stories of three Black Arizonians who made a difference in their communities.
We believe it’s important to highlight our leaders both past and present. History is still being made, and we promise to highlight our present leaders in the future.
But for today, here are the stories of three Black leaders who blazed a trail in the AZ legislature.
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Hayzel Burton Daniels – Hayzel was the first black lawyer to ever pass the bar in Arizona and the second-ever black lawyer in the state. He was also one of the first black legislators in Arizona, joining Carl Sims at the same time in 1950.
As one of Arizona’s first black legislators in the state, Hayzel challenged desegregation in the schools and was influential in securing legislation and subsequent court decisions to end school segregation. After becoming Arizona’s first black Assistant Attorney General, the Mayor of Phoenix appointed Hayzel to the position of City Magistrate. He took the bench in 1965 until he retired.
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Carl Sims – Carl moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1927. Sims became very active in Phoenix’s small African American community before and immediately following World War II, and he proved himself to be an adept Democratic agent for progressive political and social change in Arizona.
In 1950, he and attorney Hayzel B. Daniels were the first African-Americans elected to the Arizona legislature. Sims would serve six terms in Arizona’s House of Representatives. As a lawmaker, he called for the improvement and expansion of Arizona’s highways, school taxation equalization, and school integration.
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Ethel Maynard – Ethel was the first black woman elected to the AZ legislature in 1966, 16 years after Carl Sims and Hayzel Burton Daniels blazed a trail. Throughout her time in the legislature, Maynard was an advocate for civil rights, welfare reform, and women's rights, as well as bettering the Arizona school system.
At the time of her death in 1980, Ethel was still the only black woman elected to the state legislature.
Arizona Democrats are grateful for the trailblazers that came before us and those who continue to move our state forward and make history.
Sincerely,
Arizona Democrats
The Arizona Democratic Party is working around the clock to ensure Democratic candidates are elected up and down the ballot — candidates who will fight for what YOU value most, like affordable healthcare for every Arizonan, economic stability and job opportunities for working families, and representation for the most marginalized among us. Help us continue to build a party that is fighting for all Arizonans. Become a monthly donor.
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Arizona Democratic Party
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Phoenix AZ 85012 United States
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