Julia Carson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Julia Carson
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana |
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| In office January 3, 1997 – December 15, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Andrew Jacobs Jr. |
| Succeeded by | André Carson |
| Constituency | 10th district (1997–2003) 7th district (2003–2007) |
| Member of the Indiana Senate from the 34th district |
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| In office November 3, 1976 – November 30, 1990 |
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| Preceded by | Marie Lauck |
| Succeeded by | Billie Breaux |
| Member of the Indiana House of Representatives from the 45th district |
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| In office November 8, 1972 – November 3, 1976 |
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| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Joseph W. Summers |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Julia May Porter
July 8, 1938 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | December 15, 2007 (aged 69) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Resting place | Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Divorced |
| Alma mater | Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis |
Julia May Carson (born Porter; July 8, 1938 – December 15, 2007) was an important American politician. She served in the United States House of Representatives for Indiana from 1997 until she passed away in 2007. Julia Carson made history as the first woman and first African American person to represent Indianapolis in the U.S. Congress. She was also the second African American woman from Indiana to be elected to Congress. After her death, her grandson, André Carson, took over her seat.
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Early Life and Education
Julia Carson was born in Louisville, Kentucky. When she was young, her mother moved to Indianapolis and worked hard to support their family. Julia also worked part-time jobs, like waiting tables and delivering newspapers, to help out.
She graduated from Crispus Attucks High School in 1955. She later attended Martin University and Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis. Julia was a member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority. She got married and had two children, Sam and Tonya, but later divorced.
Julia Carson's Career in Politics
Julia Carson started her career in public service in 1965. She worked as a secretary and then for Congressman Andrew Jacobs Jr. in his Indianapolis office. He encouraged her to run for office herself.
Serving in the Indiana State Legislature
In 1972, Julia Carson was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives. She served for four years and became an assistant leader for her political party. Since this was a part-time job, she also worked as a human resources director at an electric company.
In 1976, she successfully ran for the Indiana Senate. She served there for 14 years, working on important financial committees. She also became a minority whip, which is a leadership role. Julia Carson and Katie Hall were the first African American women elected to the Indiana Senate.
Leading Center Township
In 1990, Julia Carson became the Trustee for Center Township in downtown Indianapolis. This job involved managing a large budget and helping people in need. She started a program that helped people find work. During her six years as Trustee, she turned a $20 million debt into a $6 million surplus. People praised her for her excellent financial management.
Becoming a U.S. Representative
When Congressman Andrew Jacobs Jr. retired in 1996, Julia Carson decided to run for his seat in the U.S. Congress. She won the Democratic Party's support, even though she spent less money than her opponent.
She won the election with 53 percent of the votes. Soon after, she had heart surgery. She was sworn into office from her hospital bed in January 1997 because she couldn't travel to Washington, D.C. right away.
Key Achievements in Congress
Julia Carson was re-elected several times. In 2000, President Bill Clinton even came to support her campaign. She worked hard to get federal funding for transportation projects in Indianapolis, including highway improvements and public transit. In 2005, she helped pass a big bill to improve Amtrak train services, including new high-speed rail lines. In 2006, she traveled with President George W. Bush on Air Force One.
Even though her health became a challenge, she continued to win her elections. She was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, a group of African American members of Congress. Julia Carson never lost an election in her entire political career.
Julia Carson's Work in the House
As a U.S. Representative, Julia Carson focused on issues that mattered to working-class families, many of which she understood from her own life. She also helped people in her district directly with their problems.
She served on important committees, including the Financial Services Committee and the Veterans' Affairs Committee. She often visited veterans in her district. Later, she joined the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which was important because Indianapolis had a large Amtrak repair facility.
Julia Carson helped create the Indiana Mortgage and Foreclosure Hotline to help homeowners. She also supported laws to improve children's safety, health, and nutrition, including requiring safety locks on handguns.
Making a Difference
Julia Carson led the effort to give Rosa Parks the Congressional Gold Medal in 1999. In 2005, she helped make it possible for Rosa Parks to be the first woman to lie in state in the U.S. Capital Rotunda, which is a very high honor.
She also worked with Senator Richard Lugar to make it easier for children to get health insurance. She supported projects to improve neighborhoods in Indianapolis and helped fund the new terminal for the Indianapolis International Airport. Julia Carson was also a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ equality.
Illness and Passing
In 2007, news reports shared that Julia Carson was in the hospital for an infection. She had also battled lung cancer before, and it was re-diagnosed during her treatment.
Julia Carson passed away on December 15, 2007, at the age of 69. Her death was announced by her friend, former U.S. Representative Andrew Jacobs Jr..
Her casket was taken to the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, where thousands of people came to pay their respects. Many important leaders, including Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and Reverend Jesse Jackson, attended services to honor her. Her funeral was held at Eastern Star Baptist Church, and she was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.
Julia Carson's Legacy
Julia Carson received many honors during her life. She was named the Indianapolis Star Woman of the Year twice and was inducted into the Indiana Public Schools Hall of Fame.
After her death, a bust honoring her was placed in the Indiana statehouse. Indianapolis named its local government center and its transit center after her. Ivy Tech Community College also named its library and community space in Indianapolis in her honor.
In 2008, a special election was held to find Julia Carson's replacement in Congress. Her grandson, André Carson, won the election, continuing her family's legacy of public service.
See also
- List of African-American United States representatives
- List of United States Congress members who died in office
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
