THE VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT

Julia Carson

July 8, 1938 – December 15, 2007

“I always believed in my heart that it was Rosa Parks who paved the way for me to go to Congress.” –Hon. Julia Carson

Champion of children’s issues, women’s rights and efforts to reduce homelessness. The first woman and first African American to represent Indianapolis in the U.S. Congress. She authored and introduced the bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to civil rights activist Rosa Parks during the 106th Congress (1999–2001).

Photo 1. Julia during her first term in the Indiana House in March 1973, photo by Willliam Oates, The Star. Photo 2. Julia Carson, member of the United States House of Representatives.