[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 636]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING WILLIE STEVENSON GLANTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BRUCE L. BRALEY

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 14, 2014

  Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Willie 
Stevenson Glanton on her tireless efforts throughout her life to break 
down race and gender barriers and pave the way for many Americans. 
Willie Stevenson Glanton has been dedicated to the law, human services, 
and civil rights.
  Willie has been a champion for women and minorities throughout her 
entire life. She was only the second African American woman admitted to 
practice law in the State of Iowa, along with becoming the first 
African American woman to be appointed as a city clerk, assistant 
county attorney, and the first African American female to be elected to 
the Iowa State Legislature. In addition to her many achievements, 
Willie is the first woman and first African American to be elected 
president of the Iowa Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. She 
``wanted to make an impact for black and women's rights, which are 
historically intertwined,'' and ``felt that our black children needed 
more black images in politics to stir their interests.''
  With all of her achievements, another great success was her 50-year 
marriage to the love of her life, the late Luther T. Glanton Jr. who 
was also a pioneer for African Americans by becoming Iowa's first 
district judge. A thrilling day for my family was when Judge Glanton 
spoke at my sister's high school graduation in 1973.
  As such an important symbol of justice, the Willie Stevenson Glanton 
Award was established to recognize a lawyer who exemplifies Willie's 
spirit to help others, reach back, and help his or her community. 
Recipients are honored for working toward the goal of improving their 
community, whether through a commitment to public service, legislative 
initiatives, professional activities, or community activities. They 
must demonstrate a commitment to advocacy and activism in the spirit of 
Willie's devotion to ``free up people.''
  Willie is an example of a leader who has worked tirelessly to make 
her community, her state, and her country a better place to live. She 
is a true example of hard work, determination and a good heart, and 
shows us that we can achieve so much and improve the lives of so many 
individuals directly and indirectly. Willie, on behalf of Iowans and 
Americans, you make us proud.

                          ____________________