Recently waging a campaign for the Democratic nomination in the 2004 Presidential race, Carol Moseley Braun qualified for more states' ballots than any woman in the history of this country. Amb. Moseley Braun has served her country as a United States Senator, U.S. Ambassador, as well as County Executive Officer, State Representative, and Assistant United States Attorney. Her extensive and constructive legislative record reflects a commitment to social justice, fiscal prudence and good government. The hallmark of her public service has been courageous dedication to the harmony of the whole community, and she has worked to build an inclusive society that taps the talent of all people. A woman of extensive achievements, she is passionate about preserving the American Dream for the next generation.
She was born in Chicago on August 16, 1947. Her father was a law enforcement officer who played seven instruments and spoke several languages. Her mother was a medical technician. Her family encouraged her, the oldest of four children, to purse excellence, embrace opportunity and follow her dreams, without regard to constraints of race or gender. Her pioneering career reflects this philosophy.
A graduate of the Chicago Public Schools, she took her first paying job while a high school sophomore. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Illinois in 1969, and a law degree in 1972 from the University of Chicago. Despite her interest in pursuing academic credentials in arts history, she went on to join the United Attorney's office in 1973.
As an Assistant United States Attorney she worked primarily in the civil and appellate law areas, and tried cases of national importance. Her work in housing, health policy and environment law won her the Attorney General's Special Achievement award, her first public service recognition. She has subsequently received over 300 awards and 8 Honorary degrees for achievements in the public interest. She left the US Attorney's office in 1977 to start a family. Her son, Matthew, is today a computer engineer.
During her time as a homemaker, her volunteer work in behalf of a local environmental issue inspired neighbors to seek her out to stand for public office for the first time. In 1978 she was elected a Representative in the Illinois General Assembly as an independent Democrat. As a Representative she earned recognition as a champion for education, government reform and civil rights. She successfully sued her party and the state in behalf of Black and Hispanic citizens in the landmark reapportionment case of Crosby vs. State Board of Elections.
Shortly after that case was won she was named Assistant Majority Leader and spokesman for the reform Mayor of Chicago. She left the legislature in 1987 to stand for countywide office, the first woman of color to do so in Illinois. Following a term as Cook County Recorder of Deeds, she undertook a primary election challenge to the incumbent Democratic Senator. When it was successful, she stood for the Senate in the general election. She carried Illinois in 1992 with more votes than any candidate received in that or any subsequent election.
Her election marked the first time Illinois had elected a woman and the first time the Democratic Party had elected a black to the United States Senate. She was one of two African Americans to serve in the Senate in the 20th Century, and was the sole African American in the Senate from 1992 to 1998. Her Senate term was a tumultuous one, as her office was deluged with constituency demands from throughout America, and she was the target of aggressive political antipathy. She emerged from the controversy vindicated in her integrity and with an exemplary legislative record, presenting the first "crumbling schools" initiative, and passing and extraordinary number of new laws to serve all of the people of Illinois, including farm legislation, transportation support and economic security initiatives. The first permanent female member of the Senate Finance committee, she advocated successfully for retirement security and health care support for workingmen and women. Her record of service exemplified her commitment to keep the election promises she made to the voters of Illinois.
Opposed by a self-financed candidate and outspent by a margin of 3 to 1, she lost reelection by less than 2% of the vote in 1998. Shortly thereafter, President Clinton named her special consultant to the Department of Education on school construction and nominated her to become the Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. Once the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee called a hearing on the nomination, she was confirmed by a vote of the full Senate of 98-2.
As Ambassador her portfolio included New Zealand, Samoa, the Cook Islands, and Antarctica. She traveled extensively throughout the region and was very well received, becoming the first US Ambassador to be made an honorary member of the Te Atiawa Maori tribe. She describes this part of her public service as being "Ambassador to Paradise".
Since returning in 2001 from her ambassadorial posting to New Zealand, she has taught law and political science at Morris Brown College and DePaul University, along with a business law practice and business consultancy in Chicago.
For more inforamtion contact Djordje Popovic at (509)963-1687 (popovicd@cwu.edu).
