Annette Polly Williams facts for kids

Annette Polly Williams (January 10, 1937 – November 9, 2014) was an American politician from Milwaukee. She served for 10 terms as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly. She was part of the Democratic Party.

Early Life and Career

Polly Williams was born in Belzoni, Mississippi, in 1937. She graduated from North Division High School. She also went to Milwaukee Area Technical College and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

Before becoming a politician, she worked in different jobs. She was a counselor, cashier, and typist. She also raised four children. In 1980, she was elected to the Assembly. This is when she became a full-time lawmaker.

Political Career and Public Service

Polly Williams was very involved in her community. She helped many groups and organizations. These included the Urban Day School and the Wisconsin Black Women's Network.

She also played a big role in the Democratic Party in Wisconsin. She was a secretary and later a vice-president for a local party group. She also helped with state party meetings. From 1975 to 1980, she was on the Wisconsin State Equal Rights Council. This group worked to make sure everyone had fair treatment.

In 1980, she won her first election to the Assembly. She represented the 17th Assembly district. She was then chosen to work on important committees. These committees focused on topics like education, business, and helping older people, women, and minorities. She decided not to run for re-election in 2010.

Championing School Choice

Polly Williams is famous for creating the first school choice law in the United States. This law was passed in 1989. It allowed parents to use public money to send their children to private schools. Five years later, the program was expanded to include religious schools.

She traveled to many top universities to talk about her ideas. These included Harvard and Yale. She believed this program would help children from low-income families get a better education. Over time, she felt the program changed from her original vision. She believed it started to focus less on the families she wanted to help.

Awards and Recognition

Polly Williams received many awards for her work. The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee gave her a Lifetime Achievement Award. She also got an award from the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. The New York Times newspaper named her one of "Thirteen Innovators Who Changed Education in the 20th Century."

Death

Polly Williams passed away on November 9, 2014, in Milwaukee. She was 77 years old.