Laura A. Brown (née Penn; 1874–1924) was an American activist and local politician.[1] She was the first African-American to run for the state legislature in Pennsylvania.[2]

Laura A. Brown
Born
Laura Penn

(1874-11-08)November 8, 1874
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Died1924
NationalityAmerican
Known forfirst African-American to run for state legislature in Pennsylvania

Personal life

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Brown was born Laura Penn on November 8, 1874, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. She married George Brown at a young age. They lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and had one daughter.[1]

Public life

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Brown was an active member of the Pennsylvania Federation of Colored Women's Clubs and her church choir.[1]

During World War I, Brown led a war savings stamp campaign that allowed individual citizens to help fund the U.S. war effort.[2] Later, during Warren G. Harding's presidential campaign, Brown became a member of the executive board of the Republican Women's Committee of Allegheny County and the Republican Council of Women of the City-County Federation of Allegheny.[1][2]

In 1922, Brown became the first African-American to run for state legislature in Pennsylvania as a candidate for the First District in Allegheny County. She did not win election.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Hallie Q. Brown (1988). Homespun Heroines and Other Women of Distinction. Oxford University Press, USA. pp. 237–8. ISBN 978-0-19-976309-2.
  2. ^ a b c d LaVonne Leslie (2012). The History of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, Inc.: A Legacy of Service. Xlibris Corporation. p. 132. ISBN 978-1-4797-2265-5.