Elizabeth Furse

About

First African-born politician to be elected to the United States Congress. She was chosen to represent Oregon's first congressional district in 1993 and went on to co-found the Oregon Peace Institute.

Before Fame

While living in South Africa, she was involved in anti-Apartheid activism, joining the first Black Sash demonstration in Cape Town in 1951.

Trivia

She served as Director of the Institute for Tribal Government at Portland State University.

Family Life

She married John C. Platt.

Associated With

After moving to Los Angeles in 1956, she became involved with Cesar Chavez's United Farm Workers' Movement.