Yvonne Brathwaite Burke

Born October 5, 1932, in Los Angeles, California

In 1966, Yvonne Brathwaite Burke became the first black woman elected to the California State Assembly. When she was elected to the House of Representatives in 1972, she was the first woman sent to Congress from California in twenty years and the first black woman ever elected from that state. In 1973, Burke notably became the first Congresswoman to give birth and be granted maternity leave while serving in Congress. In 1978, after serving three terms, she returned to California, where she became a specialist in public finance and a partner with the law firm of Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue. She served as the Los Angeles County Supervisor for the 2nd District from 1992-2008.