The first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate, Carol Moseley Braun, will give a talk titled “Opening the Doors of Politics: African Americans and Minorities” at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, in Strong Auditorium at the University of Rochester’s River Campus.
Moseley Braun has been highly influential in breaking new ground for women and minorities. She worked as a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office from 1973 to 1977. In 1978, she was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives. On Nov. 3, 1992, Moseley Braun became the first African-American Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate.
During her time as a State Representative, Mosely Braun made education her top priority. She acted as the chief sponsor for the 1985 Urban School Improvement Act, which created parents’ councils at every school in Chicago. In 1994, she authored the Educational Infrastructure Act, designed to channel education funds into areas most needed by low-income communities. In addition, she sponsored various education reform bills.
Moseley Braun received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in 1969 and a law degree from the University of Chicago in 1972.
Recently, Moseley Braun withdrew from the 2004 presidential race as a Democratic candidate and has pledged her support to presidential candidate Gov. Howard Dean.
Admission is $5 for the general public; $3 for University of Rochester faculty and staff and for other students with college ID; and free for University of Rochester undergraduate students with ID. Tickets are available at the Common Market in Wilson Commons and will also be available at the door. For more information, contact (585) 275-5911.