Sandra Williams (American politician) facts for kids

Sandra R. Williams is a former politician from the Democratic Party. She served in the Ohio Senate from 2015 to 2022. Before that, she was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 2007 to 2014. Her political districts covered parts of Cleveland and several nearby towns in Ohio.

About Sandra Williams

Early Life and Education

Sandra Williams grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. She went to college at Cleveland State University and Tiffin University.

Her Career in Public Service

Before becoming a politician, Sandra Williams worked in the field of criminal justice. She was a corrections officer, a probation officer, and a parole officer. She also worked as a mediator, helping people solve disagreements.

Sandra Williams also served in the United States Army Reserve. This was from 1987 to 1995. Later, she worked for a politician named Annie L. Key. This experience helped her learn about how the government works.

Serving in the Ohio House of Representatives

In 2006, Sandra Williams decided to run for a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives. She won the election and started serving in 2007. She was re-elected several times.

During her time in the House, she became the President of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus. This group works to support African-American lawmakers and their communities. She also led the Economic Development Committee. This committee helps create jobs and improve the economy in Ohio.

Serving in the Ohio Senate

After serving in the House, Sandra Williams ran for the Ohio Senate in 2014. She won this election too. As a Senator, she worked on important issues.

One of her first tasks was to join a special group. This group worked to improve relationships between communities and police departments in Ohio. She left the Ohio Senate in 2022 to take a job outside of politics.

Running for Mayor

In 2021, Sandra Williams decided to run for Mayor of Cleveland. She wanted to lead her hometown. She was the only woman running in that election. If she had won, she would have been the first African-American woman to be Mayor of Cleveland. She did not win the election, but she showed her dedication to her city.

What Sandra Williams Cared About

Sandra Williams often spoke about important issues. She believed in making sure everyone had a fair chance.

Diversity in Government

She often talked about the need for more diversity in government. This means having people from different backgrounds and cultures in important leadership roles. She believed that government leaders should look like the people they represent.

Workers' Rights

Sandra Williams was a strong supporter of workers' rights. She believed that workers should have the right to join together to improve their jobs. This is called collective bargaining.

Voting Rights

She also spoke out about voting rights. She believed it was very important for everyone to be able to vote easily. She was concerned about ideas that might make it harder for some people to vote.

Community Safety

Sandra Williams also worked on making communities safer. She supported efforts to improve how police and communities work together. She also proposed ideas to help people get job training. This helps people find good jobs and build better lives.