Black History Month – Historic 5
February is Black History Month! The Colorado political scene is currently experiencing a black ‘first’ in the state legislature. But, before we take a look at the present, let’s take a moment to look at the past.
1895 – Joseph H. Stuart was the first African American to hold office in Colorado. He was elected to the Colorado General Assembly as a State Representative.
1974 – George L. Brown was the first African American to be elected to statewide office as the Lieutenant Governor.
1991 – Wellington Webb became the first black Mayor of Denver.
1994 – Gloria Tanner was the first African American woman elected to the Colorado State Senate.
2009 – Two black men, Speaker Terrance Carroll and Senate President Peter Groff led the Colorado legislature.
This history brings us to the present. In 2012, an unprecedented five black legislators were sworn in to the Colorado House of Representatives.
As we celebrate Black History Month, which is a part of our collective American history, it’s important to remember where we as Americans came from, and where Americans hope to be in the future.