Statement from Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) on the Passing of former Congresswoman Cardiss Collins of Illinois

Cardiss Collins was the only African American woman in Congress when two other black women and I were elected in 1990. By the time she retired, after a quarter of a century representing a Chicago district, I understood why Cardiss had been able to hold the fort after the few African American women in the House had dwindled to only her. Cardiss Collins was a champion of women and African Americans everywhere, whose work was productive in areas of American life and is still being felt in our country.

Published: February 8, 2013