20 Facts About Cora Brown

Cora Mae Brown was the first African-American woman elected to a state senate in the United States.

Cora Brown won her seat in the Michigan Senate in 1952.

Cora Mae Brown was Richard and Alice Brown's only child.

Cora Brown was born in Bessemer, Alabama on April 19,1914.

Cora Brown originally intended to study medicine, but found it too difficult to look at the medical cadavers.

Cora Brown was known for being particularly active in campus political movements as a student.

Cora Brown made a comfortable living and resided with her mother.

Cora Brown opened a small practice there and practiced law until her return to Detroit in 1970.

Cora Brown was involved in several civil rights and community building organizations.

Cora Brown worked with the NAACP, YWCA, the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, and the New Calvary Baptist Church.

Cora Brown went door to door and sent trucks around Detroit to spread her message to voters, this campaign was based on her desire to improve hospital, social services, and to decrease racial inequality.

Cora Brown served as the state senator for the 2nd District during her first term and served for the 3rd District during her second term.

Cora Brown fought strongly for civil rights and introduced several bills that aided their expansion in Michigan.

Cora Brown is noted to be a women's rights activist, as she worked to curb the distribution of pornography through the mail.

At times, Cora Brown clashed with her colleagues in the Democratic Party.

Cora Brown made the decision to change her district in her 1956 run for office, challenging another Democrat who was quite popular.

Cora Brown told constituents not to vote for representatives who would not openly support the Civil Rights Movement, costing her the support of the United Auto Workers Union and the Democratic Party.

Cora Brown supported Dwight Eisenhower when he ran for re-election in 1956 over the Democratic candidate Adlai Stevenson, because of his views on civil rights.

Ultimately, Cora Brown lacked the support of her party in the election.

Later, Cora Brown served as executive director of the President's Committee on Government Contracts, a committee formed to regulate fair employment practices by government contractors.