List of African-American speakers of U.S. state legislatures facts for kids

This article is about important African-American leaders who have served in state legislatures across the United States. State legislatures are like mini-U.S. Congresses for each state. They are responsible for making laws that affect people living in that state.

In most states, the legislature has two parts: an "upper house" (usually called the Senate) and a "lower house" (often called the House of Representatives or General Assembly). Each of these houses has a leader. The leader of the lower house is usually called the Speaker, and the leader of the upper house is often called the President pro tempore or just President. These leaders help manage debates, decide which laws are discussed, and keep things running smoothly.

African-American Leaders in State Senates (Upper Houses)

Many African Americans have held leadership roles in state senates. These leaders are often called the President pro tempore. This role means they lead the Senate when the official President (often the state's Lieutenant Governor) is not there.

One of the first African-American women to hold such a high position was Barbara Jordan. She served as President pro tempore of the Texas Senate for a short time in 1972. This was a big step forward for representation.

Cecil A. Partee became the President of the Illinois Senate in 1975. This was a very important leadership role in his state's upper house.

Later, other notable figures like Emil Jones also served as President of the Illinois Senate from 2003 to 2009. In New York, Malcolm Smith was the Temporary President of the New York State Senate in 2009.

More recently, Andrea Stewart-Cousins became the Temporary President of the New York State Senate in 2019 and is still serving. Louise Lucas became President pro tempore of the Senate of Virginia in 2020 and is also still serving. These leaders play a key role in their state's lawmaking process.

African-American Leaders in State Houses (Lower Houses)

The leader of the lower house in a state legislature is usually called the Speaker. This is a very powerful position, as the Speaker controls much of the legislative agenda.

The very first African-American Speaker of any state legislature was John R. Lynch. He became Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives in January 1872. This happened shortly after the Reconstruction era, a time when African Americans gained more political rights.

Samuel J. Lee and Robert B. Elliott both served as Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives in the 1870s. Isaac Shadd was also Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives around the same time.

After the Reconstruction era, it took many years for African Americans to regain these top leadership roles. S. Howard Woodson became Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly in 1974. He was the first African-American speaker of any state legislature since the Reconstruction era.

K. Leroy Irvis served as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the late 1970s and again in the 1980s. He was a very influential leader.

Willie Brown was Speaker of the California State Assembly for a very long time, from 1980 to 1995. He is known for his long and impactful career in California politics.

Willie Brown, former Speaker of the California State Assembly.

A major milestone happened when Karen Bass became Speaker of the California State Assembly in 2008. She was the first African-American woman to serve as Speaker of any state legislature in the United States. This was a historic achievement.

Karen Bass, the first African-American woman to serve as Speaker of a state legislature.

More recently, Adrienne A. Jones became Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates in 2019 and is still serving. Carl Heastie has been Speaker of the New York State Assembly since 2015. Chris Welch became Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives in 2021.

In 2022, Rachel Talbot Ross became Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives. In 2023, Joanna McClinton became Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. And in 2024, Don Scott became Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates. These individuals continue to make history and lead their state legislatures.

Images for kids

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  Barbara Jordan, President pro tempore of the Texas Senate.

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  Craig Washington, President pro tempore of the Texas Senate.

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  Rodney Ellis, President pro tempore of the Texas Senate.

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  Emil Jones, President of the Illinois Senate.

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  Margaret Carter, President pro tempore of the Oregon State Senate.

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  Peter Groff, President pro tempore and President of the Colorado Senate.

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  Royce West, President pro tempore of the Texas Senate.

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  Nathaniel J. McFadden, President pro tempore of the Maryland Senate.

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  Sharon Weston Broome, President pro tempore of the Louisiana State Senate.

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  Malcolm Smith, Temporary President of the New York State Senate.

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  Nia Gill, President pro tempore of the New Jersey Senate.

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  Melony G. Griffith, President pro tempore of the Maryland Senate.

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  James Manning Jr., President pro tempore of the Oregon State Senate.

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  Sandra Bolden Cunningham, President pro tempore of the New Jersey Senate.

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  Malcolm Augustine, President pro tempore of the Maryland Senate.

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  John R. Lynch, the first African-American Speaker of any state legislature.

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  Robert B. Elliott, Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives.

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  Isaac Shadd, Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives.

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  K. Leroy Irvis, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

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  Dan Blue, Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives.

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  Adrienne A. Jones, Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates.

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  John Lovick, Speaker pro tempore of the Washington House of Representatives.

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  Sheila Oliver, Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly.

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  Gordon Fox, Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives.

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  T. W. Shannon, Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

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  Jeffrion L. Aubry, Speaker pro tempore of the New York State Assembly.

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  Carl Heastie, Speaker of the New York State Assembly.

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  Jason Frierson, Speaker of the Nevada Assembly.

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  Gordon M. Johnson, Speaker pro tempore of the New Jersey General Assembly.

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  Janet Buckner, Speaker pro tempore of the Colorado House of Representatives.

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  Sheree Sample-Hughes, Speaker pro tempore of the Maryland House of Delegates.

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  Chris Welch, Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives.

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  Rachel Talbot Ross, Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives.

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  Joanna McClinton, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

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  Don Scott, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates.