21 Facts About Carrie Meek

Carrie Mae Meek was the United States representative for Florida's 17th congressional district.

Carrie Meek was the first African American since the Reconstruction era elected to represent Florida in the United States Congress.

Carrie Meek was the founder of the Carrie Meek Foundation.

Carrie Meek was the daughter of sharecroppers and granddaughter of a slave.

Carrie Meek's degree was in physical education and biology, and she lettered in track and field.

At that time, African Americans were not allowed to be admitted to graduate schools in Florida, so Carrie Meek enrolled in the University of Michigan and received her master of science degree in 1948.

Carrie Meek moved to Miami in 1961 to serve as special assistant to the vice president of Miami-Dade Community College.

When state representative Gwen Cherry, Florida's first woman African American legislator, died in a car crash in 1979, Carrie Meek decided to run in the special election to succeed her.

Carrie Meek was elected to the Florida House as a Democrat.

In 1982, Carrie Meek ran for a newly drawn state senate seat based in northern Dade County.

Carrie Meek became the first African American woman elected to the Florida Senate.

Carrie Meek ran for one of those seats, the 17th district, which was based in northern Dade County.

Also while in the House, Carrie Meek successfully focused her attention on issues such as economic development, health care, education, and housing.

Carrie Meek led legislation through Congress to improve Dade County's transit system, airport, and seaport; to construct a new family and childcare center in northern Dade County; and to fund advanced aviation training programs at Miami-Dade Community College.

Carrie Meek emerged as a strong advocate for Haitian immigrants and senior citizens.

Carrie Meek believed that her district was undercounted in the 1990 Census and that the votes of her constituents were not represented correctly in the 2000 presidential election.

Carrie Meek never lost a race for reelection to the US House of Representatives.

Carrie Meek announced that she would not seek re-election in the 2002 election, and retired from the House at the end of her term in January 2003.

Carrie Meek had three children, two daughters, and a son, Kendrick Meek.

Carrie Meek died at her home in Miami on November 28,2021, at the age of 95.

Carrie Meek was a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, and an honorary member of Iota Phi Lambda sorority.