Daisy Riley Lloyd facts for kids

Daisy Riley Lloyd (October 15, 1928 – May 15, 2019) was a very important person in Indiana's history. She was the first African American woman to serve in the Indiana state legislature. She was a Democrat who represented Marion County (which includes Indianapolis) in the Indiana House of Representatives. After her time as a lawmaker, she became a successful realtor and a family counselor. She was always very active in her community, working to make things better for everyone.

Early Life and Learning

Daisy Riley was born in Lawrence, Kansas. She grew up on a farm and went to local public schools. In 1946, she finished Highland Park High School.

She then went to Howard University in Washington, D.C.. There, she studied economics and sociology. She earned her bachelor's degree in 1950. To help pay for her studies, she worked at the Library of Congress. At Howard, she met Frank Perry Lloyd, and they got married in 1950.

In 1951, Daisy and Frank moved to Germany. Frank was a doctor, and the U.S. Army sent him there. In 1953, the Lloyd family moved to Indianapolis. Daisy focused on raising their four children. She was also very involved in her local Roman Catholic church.

Later in her life, Daisy Lloyd went back to school. She earned master's degrees in counseling from Butler University and the Christian Theological Seminary in 1979. She also earned a PhD in marriage and family counseling from Purdue University.

Making a Difference in Politics

Even while raising her family, Daisy Lloyd became very active in politics. She once protested against unfair rules at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. She joined important groups like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She also worked with the League of Women Voters and the LINKS in Indianapolis.

In 1964, Daisy Lloyd was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives. She was a Democrat. She was one of fifteen Democrats chosen to represent Indianapolis and Marion County. This made her the first African American woman to serve in the Indiana legislature. Two other Democratic women, Katherine O'Connell Fruits and Cecilia M. Logan, were also elected that year.

All three of these women served one term. After that, Indiana changed how legislative districts were set up. The next election also saw many Republicans win. During her time as a lawmaker, Daisy Lloyd faced a health challenge. She bravely chose to talk about it publicly, becoming one of the first women to do so. After her term, Harriette Bailey Conn became the only African American woman in the next Indiana General Assembly.

After the Legislature: New Paths

After her time in the legislature, Lloyd noticed that her community needed better real estate services. So, she studied and got her realtor's license. She worked for a company and then started her own business called Northside Realty, Inc. She became a leader in real estate groups.

Daisy Lloyd also continued to serve her community in many ways. She was a Commissioner for the Indianapolis Public Housing Authority. She also served on the Commission for Higher Education. She helped start the Butler Tarkington Neighborhood Association. She also helped create the Center for Leadership Development.

After getting her advanced degrees in counseling, Lloyd helped many people. She also led special retreats. She continued her studies in theology, earning another degree in 2002. Lloyd was involved in many organizations. These included councils for family relations, a home for senior citizens, and advisory councils for universities. She was also active in the American Civil Liberties Union, the Indianapolis Arts Council, and the American Cancer Society, among many others.