E.E. Cummings
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By E.E. Cummings | Women’s Watch
During Black History Month, we acknowledge those who offer us knowledge and remind us to see beyond ourselves. Their words help us remember where we come from and how we move forward.
Notable, influential and inspiring Black Americans speak powerful words to our communities — and have for centuries. It has been said by renowned poet, author and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, “Won’t it be wonderful when Black history and Native American history and Jewish history and all of U.S. history is taught from one book. Just U.S. history.”
In that spirit, let’s explore four amazing, trailblazing women, all of whom were Arizona legislators who helped move the state forward.
Ethel Maynard
Born in Waterbury Connecticut, Ethel Maynard moved with her daughter to Tucson, where she worked as a nurse at Tucson Medical Center and as a school nurse for 25 years.
Maynard’s political work led in 1966 to her election as the first African American woman to serve in the Arizona House of Representatives.
She served three two-year terms from 1966 to 1973, representing Pima County District 7-B during the 28th and 29th Legislatures and Pima County District 11 during the 30th Legislature.
Sandra Denise Kennedy
Sandra Denise Kennedy represented District 23 in Maricopa County in both the House and Senate. She served in the House during the 38th through 40th Legislatures from 1987 to 1993, and as a state senator during the 41st through the 43rd Legislatures from 1993 to 1999.
Kennedy worked across the aisle to co-author and introduce Arizona’s first Domestic Violence Bill. She sponsored successful legislation for domestic violence shelters, foster care placement, the Prenatal Care Education Fund and City Powers Regarding Fair Housing. While serving in the Legislature she was also elected to the Phoenix Union High School Governing Board and appointed to serve on the Arizona Employment and Training Council.
In 2008, Kennedy was elected to the Arizona Corporation Commission on a platform of promoting solar energy in Arizona and protecting consumers, making her the first and onlyAfrican American in Arizona to hold statewide office.
Herschella L. Horton
Herschella L. Horton represented District 14 in Pima County during the 40th through the 44th Legislatures, from 1991 to 2001. She was elected by her caucus to serve as the Minority Whip and served throughout the 43rd Legislature. In 1999, she was elected Assistant Majority Leader and served during the 44th Legislature. She served on the Health, Environment, Appropriations, Block Grants, and Rules committees.
After leaving the Legislature, she served as director of legislative services with the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
Horton was named as Legislator of the Year in 1994 by the Maricopa Mental Health Association and the Arizona Association of Home and Housing for the Aging. The same year she was recognized as Citizen of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers. In 1995, she received the Tucson NOW Woman of Courage Award and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Leadership Award.
Leah Landrum Taylor
Leah Landrum Taylor represented the 23rd District in Maricopa County in the House during the 44th and 45th Legislatures and the 16th District in the House during the 46th and 47th Legislatures. She continued representing District 16 in the Senate, where she served during the 48th through the 50th Legislatures. During the 51st Legislature she represented District 27 in 2013 and District 28 in 2014 in the Senate.
She served as Minority Whip and Assistant Minority Leader in the House and Assistant Minority Leader and Minority Leader in the Senate. Landrum Taylor served in the Arizona Legislature for 16 years, from 1999 to 2015, focusing on education, environmental, adoption, foster care and homelessness issues.
Black History month is a powerful reminder of the contributions Black Americans have made throughout history. Among these contributions, Black women have played an essential role in leading policy reform that have shaped our society for the better. Their leadership and influence have impacted not only the lives of Black women but all women.
As a woman of color leading the charge, I find it crucial to reflect on and celebrate pioneers whose shoulders we stand on today.
According to Henry Louis Gates, professor and literary critic, “The thing about Black history is that the truth is so much more complex than anything you could make up.”
Editor’s note: Women’s Watch is a cooperative writing effort of the local chapters of the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters and the National Organization for Women. This piece was authored by E.E. Cummings. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
