Contribution:
First African American female to serve on the Los Angeles Unified School District Board. First African American female to represent the 26th District (1982-1990) and the 28th District (1994 - 1998) in the California State Senate. First African American female to represent the 32nd District (2001-2003) and the 33rd District (2003 - 2011) in the United States House of Representatives. First African American Ambassador to Micronesia (1999 - 2000)