Cardiss Collins Goes to Congress

Cardiss Collins was born September 24, 1931 in St. Louis. Her family moved to Detroit, and when She became of age, she attended Northwestern University in Illinois. After that she worked as a revenue auditor for Chicago. She married US Congressman George Collins, and they had a son.

Unfortunately, George died in a plane crash. People immediately turned to Cardiss to run for his seat. She said the same thing Rosa Parks said when they told her to get up, “nah.” She said she was too shy and had no interest in the spotlight. Just so people would leave her alone, she jumps in towards the end of the race.

She wins both the primary and general election with ease. She becomes the first woman and first Black person to be Whip at Large for the Democratic Party, leads the Congressional Black Caucus, fights for better health care and public welfare. She serves for 25 years from 1972 until 1997, most of which she was the only Black woman in Congress.

Pretty good for someone who didn’t want the job.