Spring 2004 Mary Louise Smith Chair in Women and Politics

Carol Moseley Braun's public service career has included a number of historical "firsts." She was the first and only African American woman elected to the U.S. Senate, serving from 1992-1998, and the first woman U.S. Senator from Illinois. In 2003-2004, she campaigned for the Democratic nomination for president, setting a new record for women presidential candidates by making it onto the primary ballot in 20 states.