Harriet Elizabeth Byrd facts for kids

Harriet Elizabeth Byrd (born April 20, 1926 – died January 27, 2015) was an important American politician and teacher from Wyoming. She made history by becoming the first African-American person ever elected to the Wyoming Legislature.

Early Life and Education

Harriet Elizabeth Rhone was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Her father, Robert C. "Buck" Rhone, was a skilled mechanic. Her mother, Sudie Smith Rhone, was a homemaker. Harriet's grandfather, Charles J. Rhone, moved to Wyoming in 1876. He worked as a cowboy and on the railroad.

Harriet graduated from Cheyenne High School in 1944. She then went to West Virginia State College. This was a historically black college in West Virginia. In 1949, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. Later, in 1976, she earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Wyoming.

Career and Public Service

After college, Harriet Byrd returned to Wyoming. She wanted to teach in the Laramie County School District. However, she was not hired at first because of her race. Instead, she worked as an instructor at F.E. Warren Air Force Base. In 1959, the school district changed its mind. They hired her as an elementary school teacher in Cheyenne. She taught for 27 years.

Harriet Byrd began her political career in 1980. She served in the Wyoming House of Representatives until 1988. Then, she served in the Wyoming Senate from 1988 to 1992. She was the first African-American to serve in both parts of the state legislature.

During her time in politics, she worked to create new laws. One of her biggest achievements was helping to establish a state holiday for Martin Luther King Jr.. In 1991, Wyoming created the Martin Luther King, Jr./Wyoming Equality Day. This day is often called King Day. She also supported laws requiring child safety seats in cars. She helped expand parking spaces for people with disabilities. Harriet Byrd also worked to set up social programs for adults.

Personal Life

In 1947, Harriet married James W. Byrd. He later became the first African-American police chief in Wyoming in 1966. They had three children: Robert, James, and Linda. They also had six grandchildren. Their son, also named James W. Byrd, followed in her footsteps. He served in the Wyoming House of Representatives from 2009 to 2019.

After retiring from the Wyoming Legislature in 1992, Harriet Byrd lived in Cheyenne. Her husband passed away in 2005. Harriet Byrd died at her home in Cheyenne, Wyoming on January 27, 2015.