Mo Cowan Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Mo Cowan
Official portrait, 2013

United States Senator from Massachusetts
In office February 1, 2013 – July 15, 2013
Appointed by	Deval Patrick
Preceded by	John Kerry
Succeeded by	Ed Markey

Personal details
Born	William Maurice Cowan (1969-04-04) April 4, 1969 (age 56) Yadkinville, North Carolina, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Stacy Cowan
Children	2
Education	Duke University (BA) Northeastern University (JD)
Website	(archived)

William Maurice Cowan, known as Mo Cowan, is an American politician and lawyer. He served as a United States Senator for Massachusetts for a short time in 2013. He was appointed to this important role temporarily. Before becoming a senator, he worked closely with Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts.

Mo Cowan was the eighth African-American to serve as a U.S. Senator. He was also the second from Massachusetts. During his time in the Senate, he served alongside another African-American Senator, Tim Scott. This was a historic moment for the U.S. Senate.

Meet Mo Cowan: A Public Servant
See also

Meet Mo Cowan: A Public Servant

Mo Cowan's Early Life and School Days

Growing Up in North Carolina

Mo Cowan was born on April 4, 1969. He grew up in a small town called Yadkinville, North Carolina. His father worked as a machinist, and his mother was a seamstress. When Mo was 16 years old, his father passed away.

He attended Forbush High School. At first, he thought about becoming a doctor.

Learning at Duke and Northeastern

Mo Cowan went to Duke University and graduated in 1991. He earned a degree in sociology, which is the study of how people live in groups. After Duke, he decided to study law.

In 1994, he earned his law degree, called a Juris Doctor, from Northeastern University School of Law. During his law studies, he gained real-world experience. He worked in a court, for a prison legal service, and in a public defender's office. This helped him learn how the legal system works.

Mo Cowan's Career Journey

Starting as a Lawyer

In 1997, Mo Cowan joined a law firm called Mintz Levin. He worked as a lawyer handling civil cases. These are legal disputes between individuals or organizations. He eventually became a partner at the firm. He also helped former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney find diverse candidates for judge positions.

Working for the Governor

Mo Cowan left his law firm in 2009 to work for Governor Deval Patrick. He first served as the governor's chief legal counsel. This meant he was in charge of all legal matters for the state government. He also helped the governor choose new judges. One important judge he helped select was Roderick L. Ireland, who became the Chief Justice of the state's highest court.

Later, from 2011 to 2012, Mo Cowan became the governor's chief of staff. This is a very important role, overseeing the daily operations and staff of the governor's office. During this time, he worked on projects like managing health care costs and looking into the state's Parole Board.

In late 2012, he decided to return to private work. He continued to advise the governor until he was appointed to the Senate. He made it clear that he did not plan to run for public office after his temporary Senate term ended.

Mo Cowan was recognized for his leadership in 2003. The Boston Business Journal named him one of their "40 under 40" leaders. He has also served on the boards of several non-profit organizations and is a trustee for Northeastern University.

Serving in the U.S. Senate

Becoming a Senator for Massachusetts

In December 2012, Senator John Kerry was chosen by President Barack Obama to become the United States Secretary of State. This meant Senator Kerry had to leave his Senate seat. The governor of Massachusetts had the power to appoint someone to fill this empty seat temporarily.

Governor Deval Patrick wanted to choose someone who had not run for office before. On January 30, 2013, Governor Patrick announced that Mo Cowan would be the temporary Senator. Mo Cowan officially started his term on February 1, 2013. He was sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden on February 7.

This was a significant moment because Mo Cowan became the second African-American U.S. Senator from Massachusetts. He served alongside Senator Tim Scott from South Carolina. This was the first time two African-American senators served at the same time. His term ended on July 15, 2013, when Ed Markey was sworn in after winning a special election.

Mo Cowan (right) with then-U.S. Representative Ed Markey (left), who later became his successor in the Senate, at a 2013 event.

What Senators Do: Committee Work

Senators work in groups called committees to focus on different topics. During his time in the Senate, Mo Cowan was part of several important committees:

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry: This committee deals with farming, food, and forests. He even chaired a subcommittee on nutrition and research.
Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation: This committee handles topics like trade, technology, and travel.
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship: This committee supports small businesses and new entrepreneurs.

Mo Cowan's Family Life

Mo Cowan is married to Stacy Cowan, who is also a lawyer. They have two sons named Miles and Grant. The family lives in Westwood, Massachusetts. In 2013, he received an honorary degree from Georgetown University. He also gave a speech at a graduation ceremony there.