Cardiss Collins (1931–2013) was an American politician from
Illinois who served in the
United States House of Representatives from 1973 to 1997. A member of the
Democratic Party, she was the fourth
African-American woman in Congress and the first to represent a
Midwestern state. Collins had previously worked as an accountant in various state government positions. She was elected to Congress in a special election to fill the seat left vacant by her husband,
George W. Collins (1925–1972), who had died in the
United Airlines Flight 553 plane crash. She was re-elected to the seat eleven times but did not seek a thirteenth term. At different times during her almost 24-year tenure in Congress, Collins served as chairwoman of several committees and as president and later vice chair of the
Congressional Black Caucus.U.S. Congress. Restored by
Adam Cuerden
Cardiss Collins (1931–2013) was an American politician from
Illinois who served in the
United States House of Representatives from 1973 to 1997. A member of the
Democratic Party, she was the fourth
African-American woman in Congress and the first to represent a
Midwestern state. Collins had previously worked as an accountant in various state government positions. She was elected to Congress in a special election to fill the seat left vacant by her husband,
George W. Collins (1925–1972), who had died in the
United Airlines Flight 553 plane crash. She was re-elected to the seat eleven times but did not seek a thirteenth term. At different times during her almost 24-year tenure in Congress, Collins served as chairwoman of several committees and as president and later vice chair of the
Congressional Black Caucus.U.S. Congress. Restored by
Adam Cuerden