I do not consider myself a political scholar at any length but do you know who Cardiss H. Collins is? This woman made history as the first African American woman to represent the Midwest in Congress. She took office during the June 5, 1973 election to replace her husband after he tragically passed away in the December 8, 1972 United Airlines Flight 553 plane crash. Proving you can conquer all trials and tribulations with hard work and passion, she was elected with a background in accounting in various state government positions. These are some of her achievements:
- In 1975, she was instrumental in prompting the Social Security Administration to revise Medicare regulations to cover the cost of post-mastectomy breast prosthesis, which before then had been considered cosmetic.
- In 1979, she was elected as president of the Congressional Black Caucus and later became the caucus vice chairman.
- In 1990, Collins, along with 15 other African American women and men, formed the African-American Women for Reproductive Freedom.
- In 1991, Collins was named chair of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Her legislative interests were focused on establishing universal health insurance, providing for gender equity in college sports, and reforming federal child care facilities.
- In 1993 she was the chairwoman of a congressional committee investigating college sports and a critic of the NCAA.
- During her last term (1995–1997), she served as ranking member of the Government Reform and Oversight Committee and also engaged in an intense debate with Rep. Henry Hyde over Medicaid funding of abortion that year.
Source:Wiki
