Yvonne Brathwaite Burke

Born in Los Angeles, Yvonne Brathwaite Burke broke barrier after barrier in California politics. She became the first Black woman elected to the California State Assembly from Los Angeles, the first Black woman to represent a Western state in Congress, and the first member of Congress to be granted maternity leave. After her congressional career, she served as a Los Angeles County Supervisor for over two decades, shaping policy and infrastructure across one of the nation’s largest counties.

Quick Facts

• Born: October 5, 1932 — Los Angeles, CA
• First Black woman to represent a Western state in the U.S. Congress (1973)
• First member of Congress granted maternity leave
• Los Angeles County Supervisor (1979–1980; 1992–2008)
• Member, California State Assembly (1966–1972)