Roxanne Jones facts for kids

Roxanne H. Jones (May 3, 1928 – May 19, 1996) was an important American leader. She was a social activist and a politician. Roxanne Jones was a member of the Democratic Party. She served in the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 3rd district from 1986 to 1996. She made history as the first African-American woman to serve in the Pennsylvania State Senate. She was also only the second woman ever to serve in that Senate since 1928.

Her Early Life and Challenges

Roxanne Jones was born in South Carolina on May 3, 1928. Her parents were Gilford and Mary Beatrice Burton Harper. She went to Edward High School.

When she was young, Roxanne faced some tough times. She was a single mother raising two children. She worked as a waitress, but her salary was not enough. Because of this, she had to get welfare support to help her family. This experience later helped her understand the struggles of others.

Making a Difference in Her Community

Roxanne Jones was a strong voice for people who needed help. From 1967 to 1968, she led the Southwark public housing group. This group was part of the Philadelphia Welfare Rights Organization. She worked to make sure people had fair access to support.

She also started her own group called Philadelphia Citizens in Action. This group helped people in the community. Roxanne was a board member for the Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority. This group helped businesses owned by minority groups grow. She was also a member of the Martin Luther King Center of Social Change. She joined the National Congress of Black Women too. These roles show how much she cared about making society better for everyone.

Serving in the Pennsylvania Senate

Roxanne Jones decided to run for office to help even more people. In November 1984, she was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate. She represented the 3rd district. She officially started her term in 1985. She served as a state senator until she passed away in 1996.

During her time in the Senate, she fought for important causes. One of her last big fights was against a bill that would cut medical benefits for poor people in Pennsylvania. She worked hard to stop Governor Tom Ridge's welfare bill. Sadly, she was not successful in defeating it. Roxanne Jones passed away from a heart attack shortly after this important fight.

Her Lasting Legacy

Roxanne Jones left a strong mark on Pennsylvania. She showed that one person can make a big difference. She opened doors for other women and African-American leaders in politics.

To honor her, a special mural was painted. This mural of Roxanne Jones is on a building on Broad Street in North Philadelphia. It reminds everyone of her dedication and hard work for her community.