Alma Adams facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alma Adams
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 12th district
Incumbent
Assumed office November 12, 2014
Preceded by	Mel Watt
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
In office April 1994 – November 4, 2014
Preceded by	Herman Gist
Succeeded by	Ralph Johnson
Constituency	26th District (1994–2003) 58th District (2003–2014)
Personal details
Born	Alma Shealey (1946-05-27) May 27, 1946 (age 79) High Point, North Carolina, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Children	2
Education	North Carolina A&T State University (BS, MS) Ohio State University (PhD)

Alma Shealey Adams (born May 27, 1946) is an American politician. She represents North Carolina's 12th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Before joining Congress, Adams served in the North Carolina House of Representatives. She represented the 58th House district in Guilford County from 1994 to 2014.

Adams used to be a college administrator and an art professor in Greensboro. She is well-known for wearing many unique hats. In 2014, she won a special election for North Carolina's 12th congressional district. This made her the 100th woman to serve in the 113th Congress. She also won a full two-year term at the same time.

Early Life and Education

Alma Adams was born on May 27, 1946, in High Point, North Carolina. Her parents were Benjamin Shealey and Mattie Stokes. She finished high school at West Side High School in Newark, New Jersey, in 1964.

Adams went to North Carolina A&T State University. She earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in 1969 and her Master of Science (M.S.) degree in 1972. Both of her degrees were in art education. Later, she earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in art education from Ohio State University in 1981. Adams is also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Serving in the State Legislature

Adams began her political career in local government. She was a member of the Greensboro City School Board from 1984 to 1986. Then, she served on the Greensboro City Council from 1987 until 1994.

In 1994, Adams was chosen to join the North Carolina House of Representatives. She replaced Herman Gist, who had passed away. Her district was in Guilford County, covering most of southeastern Greensboro. She won her first full term in the general election against Roger G. Coffer. She continued to win re-election many times.

In 2002, her district changed from the 26th to the 58th due to new district maps. She won that election with a large majority of the votes. Adams often faced Olga Morgan Wright, a Republican, in elections. Adams defeated Wright in several elections, including in 2004, 2006, and 2008.

In 2008, Adams was chosen to lead the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus for a second time. She also held important roles in the state House. She was vice-chair of the Government Committee. Before that, she chaired the Appropriations Committee. She also served as vice-chair of the Commerce, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives

Elections to Congress

2014 Special and General Elections

In 2013, Congressman Mel Watt left his seat in the 12th District. Alma Adams quickly announced she would run for the open position. Watt's departure created a "special election" to finish his term. Adams also ran for a full two-year term in the 114th Congress. Both elections happened in November 2014.

Adams was sworn into office on November 12, 2014. She completed the last seven weeks of Watt's term. After being sworn in, Adams became the 100th woman to serve in Congress. This was a new record! She was reelected to her seat in 2016 and 2018.

Even though most of the district's population was in Charlotte, Adams won both primary elections. She then faced Republican Vince Coakley in the general and special elections. The 12th District usually votes for Democrats, and Adams won both elections easily.

Alma Adams is the second woman of color to represent North Carolina in the U.S. House. The first was Eva Clayton.

In the 2016 presidential election, Adams supported Hillary Clinton. Adams also decided not to attend the inauguration of Donald Trump in January 2017.

Her Work in Congress

In Congress, Alma Adams works on many important issues. In February 2022, she helped introduce the African American Burial Grounds Preservation Act. This bill would help the National Park Service find and protect historic African American cemeteries. This law has support from both major political parties.

Adams voted to provide support to Israel after the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

Adams's Home Location

In 2016, the boundaries of the 12th District changed. Adams's home in Greensboro was no longer in the district. She announced that she would move to Charlotte to continue representing the 12th District. She now lives in Charlotte.

Committee Assignments

Alma Adams serves on several important committees in the House of Representatives:

• Committee on Agriculture (Vice Chair)
  • Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations
• Committee on Education and Labor
  • Subcommittee on Workforce Protections (Chair)
• Committee on Financial Services
  • Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion

Caucus Memberships

Adams is also part of several groups in Congress called caucuses:

• Congressional Progressive Caucus
• Blue Collar Caucus
• Congressional Black Caucus
• Congressional Arts Caucus
• Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment
• Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans

Other Work

Before joining Congress, Adams was an art professor at Bennett College in Greensboro. She also directed the Steel Hall Art Gallery there. In 1990, she helped start the African American Atelier. This group helps people learn about and appreciate the visual arts and cultures of African Americans.

Adams also leads the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Foundation. This foundation gives scholarships to students who attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities in North Carolina.

Personal Life

Alma Adams is divorced and has two children. She is well known for wearing many different and distinctive hats.

Alma Adams in 2020

See Also

• List of African-American United States representatives
• Women in the United States House of Representatives