Annette Polly Williams
Annette Polly Williams | |
|---|---|
| Member of the 11th District (1983-1985)17th District (1985-1993) 10th District (1993-2011) | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 10, 1937 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
Annette Polly Williams (January 10, 1937 – November 9, 2014) was an American
Background
Williams was born in Belzoni, Mississippi, in 1937 and graduated from North Division High School, attended Milwaukee Area Technical College from 1971–73, then went on to earn a BS degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1975. After working as a mental health assistant, counselor, cashier, clerk, keypunch operator, and typist, while raising four children. she was elected to the Assembly in 1980 and became a full-time legislator.
Politics
Williams was active in civic affairs, serving on the board or advisory council of such organizations as Urban Day School, Inner City Council on Alcoholism, S.E. Wisconsin Health Systems Agency, Wisconsin Black Women's Network, Central City Bicycle Safety Program, Family Services of Milwaukee, and the Wisconsin Black Women's Assembly. In 1975, she became secretary of the Northside [Milwaukee] unit of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, moving up to First Vice-President in 1977; and she served as a delegate to various state Democratic conventions and on committees for the state and congressional district units of the party. In 1975, she was also appointed to the Wisconsin State Equal Rights Council, where she would serve until 1980. [citation needed]
In 1980 she won the Democratic nomination in what was then the 17th Assembly district by a vote of 1291 to 762, unseating four-term incumbent
School choice
Williams was the author of the United States' first
Awards and honors
She received such awards as UW-Milwaukee Lifetime Achievement Award, UW-Milwaukee Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumnus, National Black Caucus of State Legislators President's Award for Distinguished Service, and she was named by The New York Times as one of "Thirteen Innovators Who Changed Education in the 20th Century".[6]
Death
Williams died on November 9, 2014, in Milwaukee, aged 77. The cause of death was not disclosed.[7]
References
- ^ Annette Polly Williams biodata, Wisconsin Historical Society, "Wisconsin Blue Book 2009-2010", pg. 27
- ^ Theobald, H. Rupert and Robbins, Patricia V. (eds), The state of Wisconsin 1981–1982 Blue Book. Madison: Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau, distributed by Document Sales, 1981–1982; pp. 33, 894, 900.
- ^ Annette Polly Williams will not seek reelection Archived March 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, wisn.com; accessed November 10, 2014.
- ^ Murphy, Bruce, "The Rise and Fall of Polly Williams" Archived April 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, milwaukeeworld.com, June 27, 2001.
- ^ Kane, Eugene, "Program expansion, adjustment worry 'mother of school choice'", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 18, 2011.
- ^ Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee profile Archived October 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, assemblydemocrats.com; accessed November 10, 2014.
- ^ Longest-serving woman in Wisconsin Legislature former Rep. Annette Polly Williams dies at 77 Archived November 11, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, startribune.com; accessed November 10, 2014.
External links
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Follow the Money - Annette Polly Williams
- Campaign 2008 campaign contributions at Wisconsin Democracy Campaign