Gwen Cherry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gwen Cherry
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Gwen Cherry
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| Born |
Gwendolyn Sawyer
August 27, 1923 Miami, Florida, U.S.
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| Died | February 7, 1979 (aged 55) Tallahassee, Florida, U.S.
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| Occupation | politician, educator, legislator, attorney |
| Spouse(s) |
George Barnett, James Cherry
(no value) |
| Children | 2 |
Gwen Cherry (born Gwendolyn Sawyer on August 27, 1923 – died February 7, 1979) was an amazing woman from Florida. She was a teacher, a lawyer, and a politician who helped make new laws. Gwen Cherry was African American, and she was often the first Black woman to do many important things in her career. She even helped start a group called the National Association of Black Women Attorneys. She was a member of the Democratic Party.
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Gwen Cherry's Early Life and Education
Gwen Cherry was born in Miami, Florida. Her father, William Sawyer, was one of the first African American doctors in that city.
She went to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). There, she earned her first college degree. Later, she also earned her law degree, called a Juris Doctor, from FAMU. She was part of the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, a special club for college women.
After college, Gwen taught in Miami Public Schools for over 20 years. She also taught law as a professor at FAMU. In 1965, she passed the test to become a lawyer in Florida. This made her the first African-American woman to practice law in Dade County.
Gwen Cherry's Political Career
After working as a teacher and a lawyer, Gwen Cherry decided to run for office. In 1970, she was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. This was a huge step, as she became the first African-American woman to serve as a state lawmaker in Florida.
During her four terms in office, she worked on many important issues:
- She introduced the Equal Rights Amendment in Florida. This amendment aimed to make sure everyone had the same rights, no matter their gender.
- She also worked to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a state holiday in Florida.
- In 1978, she led Florida's committee for International Women's Year.
- She helped write a book called Portraits in Color: the Lives of Colorful Negro Women. She wrote it with Pauline Willis and Ruby Thomas.
Gwen Cherry also played a big role in national politics. In 1972, she led the Minority Affairs Committee for the Democratic National Convention. She also chaired the National Women's Political Caucus. At the same time, she was a legal advisor for the Miami chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW).
Gwen Cherry's Lasting Legacy
Sadly, Gwen Cherry died in a car accident in Tallahassee in February 1979. She was a true champion for everyone's rights.
Many people remember her contributions:
- Former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham praised her. He called her "a champion for the rights of all people."
- In 1986, she was honored by being added to the Florida Women's Hall of Fame.
- FAMU's College of Law named a lecture hall after her.
- Miami-Dade County, Florida named a park after her. This park helps educate children and supports young people who are at risk.
- The Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association (GSCBWLA) was formed in 1985. This group helps women lawyers in the community. In 2005, they decided to rename their group in her honor.
See also
In Spanish: Gwen Cherry para niños
