In this week's e-Bulletin, we spotlight just a few African American political figures past and present, whose works have made or will make an indelible mark in history.
Against the backdrop of American history, the road towards securing the privilege of having voice, and of having a vote count was long and hard. The losses were plentiful; any gains were hard fought. But these leaders were undaunted, destined to form a more perfect Union here and to promote the general Welfare of others. And last, but certainly not least, to secure the Blessings of Liberty, once enjoyed by the few, to all Americans and their future generations.
"Unbought and Unbossed"
Before Kamala, Barack, Hillary or even Jesse in ’84, there was Shirley. In the 1972 presidential election, Shirley Anita Chisholm became the first African American candidate for a major party's nomination for President of the United States, and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 30, 1924, Chisholm was the oldest of four daughters to Caribbean parents. Her father Charles St. Hill was a factory worker from Guyana, and mother Ruby Seale St. Hill, was a seamstress from Barbados. Chisholm graduated from Brooklyn Girls’ High in 1942 and from Brooklyn College cum laude in 1946, where she won prizes on the debate team. Her professors encouraged her to consider a political career, to which she replied that she faced a “double handicap” as both Black and female.
“Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.”
Initially, Chisholm worked as a nursery schoolteacher. However, her call to effect change could not be quelled by the racial and gender equality around her. By 1960, she was a consultant to the New York City Division of Day Care. She joined local chapters of the League of Women Voters, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Urban League, as well as the Democratic Party club in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
“In the end anti-black, anti-female, and all forms of discrimination are equivalent to the same thing: anti-humanism.”
In 1964, Chisholm ran for and became the second African American in the New York State Legislature. In 1968 Chisholm sought—and won—a seat in Congress.
“I am not the candidate of black America, although I am black and proud; I am not the candidate of the women's movement of this country, although I am a woman and I am equally proud of that. I am the candidate of the people of America. And my presence before you now symbolizes a new era in American political history.”
With little backing from others, Chisholm forged ahead with a grassroots campaign focused upon, among other notable issues, improvements in childcare access for working mothers and greater educational opportunities for all Americans. Her campaign mantra – Unbought and Unbossed - exemplified her dedication to the people first. However, Discrimination followed Chisholm’s quest for the 1972 Democratic Party presidential nomination like an angry shadow. She was blocked from participating in televised primary debates, and after taking legal action, was permitted to make just one speech. Still, students, women, and minorities followed the “Chisholm Trail.”
Shirley Chisholm forged a path forward for all aspiring political leaders to follow. For these reasons, she is a name to know.
(with special acknowledgment to womenshistory.org)
This week, we welcome State Senator T'wina Nobles and Representative Jesse Johnson
Senator T'wina Nobles represents the 28th Legislative District, which includes the cities of Fircrest, Lakewood, Steilacoom, Dupont, University Place, Tacoma, Anderson Island, Ketron Island, McNiel Island, as well as Joint Base Lewis McChord. Sworn into office in 2021, she is the first Black state senator to serve in a decade.
Sen. Nobles brings two decades of experience in education and community leadership to her role as vice chair of the Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee as well as vice chair of the Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee. She also sits on the Transportation Committee and the Behavioral Health Subcommittee.
Come join us on Thursday, February 11th at 12:15 p.m. as we welcome Senator Nobles to our Zoom Speaker Series (link forthcoming).
Representative Jesse Johnson is a lifelong Federal Way resident and a graduate from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Masters of Education. The son of a Navy Veteran and a Commercial/Residential Painter, Johnson was the youngest City Council member in Federal Way history when he first took office at the age of 27.
Now he serves as one of the Legislature’s youngest members, where he works to help working families and seniors struggling with high costs, students looking for the right pathway to a good paying job and families struggling with housing insecurity across the state.
Come join us Thursday, February 11th at 12:15 p.m. as welcome Rep. Johnson to our Zoom Speaker Series (link forthcoming).
"It's a Family Affair"
Get to Know Your King County Family!
Ron Dorsey
If you have ever worked past 5:00 p.m. at the Regional Justice Center (MRJC), you probably have met Ron. There are three things you will immediately notice about him: his 6’3’’ stature, his infectious smile, and his hearty greeting and farewell.
Get to know Ron:
- Was a varsity athlete in multiple sports
- In 1997, Ron began working for King County Superior Court - Facilities Maintenance Division, where he retired December 31, 2020.
- Key contributor to prior Black History Month potlucks at the RJC - and always signed up to bring his famous homemade peach cobbler to our delight.
- In retirement, Ron looks forward to enjoying his time off by going fishing, working on his yard, and once the pandemic ends, travelling to Las Vegas for the first time.
Q: What did you like most about working at the RJC?
A: “I always liked to do my 8 (hours) and hit the gate! But I liked mingling with staff and making sure we did a good job for them.”
Q: Do you believe that African American history should be celebrated in schools? In courts?
A: “It should definitely be celebrated in schools, courts, and in general. I believe it should be advertised more. I hope that the next generation continues to get better. We need to be recognized and recognized every year. All the years I worked [at the RJC] we were not really celebrating Black History Month. I hope that you all have more performances that include youth like the step team performance a few years ago.”
Q: Any words of wisdom for other African American staff at Superior Court?
A: Just to keep on keeping on and to keep hope alive. Don’t give up. We shall overcome.
Editors' Note: Condolences on the loss of your beloved wife, partner, and friend. We will continue to support you.
Darlin P. Johnson
Darlin P. Johnson (DJ) is a Juvenile Probation Counselor (JPC), founder, coach, mom to many and biological mother of five. She is a twenty-five-year veteran JPC (twenty-nine years overall) with King County Superior Court serving thousands of youth and families primarily in the south King County area. During her tenure, she has been involved with, created, or facilitated the following: drug treatment court, gang intervention unit, girls’ groups, boot camps, community service hour activities, youth leadership councils, Fathers Equal Sons workshops, Diversion and Me classes, Justice in Pink events, Juneteenth celebrations, and Sisters Who Care group. When asked what does she love most about her work? She replied, “Although interventions can be challenging, I love helping King County families and youth make positive changes that transforms them into educated and productive citizens.”
In her role as a JPC, she believes it is important to provide trauma informed, culturally relevant services to youth and families that is equitable, fair and supportive.
This tenacious and purpose driven “youth advocate” is the founder of the Young, Gifted and Black Youth Program, which she led from 1987 – 2019. A community program launched to provide young women and men with positive life skills and activities (e.g., stepping, other fun activities and educational workshops) as interventions to gangs and drugs in her local community. Over the years, she has held several positions as a basketball, cheerleader, and dance team coach at various schools throughout the Puget Sound area. In 1992 she co-created the A.D.A.P.T. (Adolescent Drugs and Alcohol Pre-Treatment) Program, which provided transitioning supports and services for youth moving from one care setting to another.
On a lighter more personal note, DJ is an army brat, the second of six siblings, college educated (Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree) entrepreneur, a dedicated member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., foster parent, leader of many other youth events, and recipient of many awards including the City of Tacoma’s 2018 Distinguished Woman of Color award, University of Washington’s 2012 MLK Dream award, and NAACP’s 2008 Community Youth Advocate award. Because of her promotion and passion for education, all of her daughters have degrees from Historically Black Colleges or Universities or are currently enrolled. At this moment Darlin is a giddy grandmother due to the birth of her very first grandchild and loving every minute.
Curated by King County Superior Court Staff, 2021