Neva Walker | |
|---|---|
| Member of the MinnesotaHouseofRepresentatives from the 61B district | |
| In office January 3, 2001 –January 5, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Linda Wejcman |
| Succeeded by | Jeff Hayden |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 14,1971 |
| Party | Democratic |
Neva Walker (born December 14,1971) is an American politician who served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from district 61B from 2001 to 2009. [1] [2] Walker was the first African-American woman to be elected to the Minnesota Legislature. [1]
Walker ran for District 61B in South Minneapolis in 2000. She was endorsed by the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party. District 61B at the time was 35% African American and a DFL stronghold. She ran against Republican Andy Lindberg. [3] She decided to run for office after she had a negative experience demonstrating with homeless people at the Capitol. [4]
Prior to her election,six African-American men had been elected to the legislature but no women;John Francis Wheaton was the first in 1899. Upon her election,she joined Greg Gray as the only two African Americans in the legislature. [3] On May 16,2008,she became the first African-American woman to gavel the House into session. [1]
In 2003,Walker received a letter from the lawyer of Corcoran Republican Arlon Lindner that was addressed to her as "Walker-Black". Walker said racist incidents she faced were "emotionally and mentally draining." [5]
Her committee assignments included finance,health and human services,and mental health. Walker served four terms. [6] [5]
Walker grew up in Minneapolis. Her mother,Clarissa Walker,was program manager for Sabathani Community Center for over thirty years. [4] Walker graduated from Minneapolis South High School. [5] Walker had one son,Shae,who passed in 2021. [7] She married in 2007. [1]
Walker attended the University of Minnesota and studied sociology. [4] She worked as a youth development coordinator for the Minneapolis Area United Way and had a history as an affordable housing advocate. [8] [3]