Rep. Julia Carson, the first Black and first woman to represent Indianapolis in Congress, died Dec. 15 after a battle with lung cancer. She was 69.
Carson recently announced her diagnosis and and that she would abandon plans to run for a seventh term in Indianapolis’ 7th District.
Carson was first elected to Congress in 1996. She supported children’s issues, women’s rights and the eradication of homelessness. She also was a staunch opponent of the war in Iraq.
She began her political career in the 1960s. She ran for the Indiana Legislature in 1972 —which turned out to be her first victory. She ran for Congress in 1996 after Jacobs retired.
Among the organizations mourning Carson was the Stonewall Democrats. Executive Director Jon Hoadley said in a statement that “Congresswoman Julia Carson was a true friend to National Stonewall Democrats. … We remember and honor the life and work of our friend, Congresswoman Carson, while we extend to her family, staff and constituents our thoughts and prayers.”