Last updated on November 22nd, 2025 at 01:56 am
CAROL MOSELEY BRAUN
She was the first black woman to serve in the U S Senate (1993-1999). Moseley Braun represented the state of Illinois and has the additional distinction of being one of only two blacks to serve in the Senate in the 20th Century (Edward Brooke was the other).
Prior to those history making accomplishments, the Chicago, Illinois native (born August 16, 1947) was a prosecutor and elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1979, where she remained until 1988. She was the Cook County Recorder of Deeds from ’88-’92, then the Senate.
Following her tenure, President Bill Clinton nominated Mosely-Braun for U S Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. She held that post from 1999-2001. In 2010 she ran for Mayor of Chicago, but suffered a bitter defeat due to poor organization, lack of finances as well as little hands-on Black support. This effectively ended her political career.
