Occupation – Politician – Legislator
John Leerdam (1961- )
John Leerdam is an Afro-Dutch politician and theater director. Leerdam was born to African-descended parents on July 23, 1961 in...
Robert G. Clark Jr. (1928- )
Robert George Clark Jr. was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1967. He was the first African American elected to the Mississippi State Legislature...
Killion Munzele Munyama (1961- )
The second person of African descent to be elected to the lower house of Poland’s Parliament (called Sejm) was Killion M. Munyama, born...
James W. Mason (1841–1874)
James W. Mason of Chicot County, Arkansas, was the first documented African American postmaster in the United States. Mason also...
Mercedes Frias (1962- )
Politician and immigrant and women’s rights advocate Mercedes Lourdes Frias was born in the municipality of San Antonio de Guerra,...
Peggy Joan Maxie (1936-2024)
Peggy Joan Maxie was the first black woman elected to public office in Washington State. She served as Washington State...
Eric Pettigrew (1960- )
Eric Pettigrew is the former Washington State Representative for the 37th Legislative District representing Southeast Seattle, Washington and its suburbs. ...
Rosa Franklin (1927- )
Rosa Franklin is the first black woman elected to the Washington State Senate, serving the 29th Legislative District in the...
Walter Moses Burton (1829?-1913)
Walter Moses Burton holds the distinction of being the first black elected sheriff in the United States. Burton was also...
