Stephanie Tubbs Jones

Hello! My name is Stephanie Tubbs Jones, and I want to share my story with you. I was born in a busy city called Cleveland, Ohio, on September 10th, 1949. Growing up, my parents taught me the importance of working hard and, most of all, helping people. I loved learning and was always curious about the world around me. I knew from a young age that I wanted to make a real difference in my community. I decided to go to college at Case Western Reserve University, which was right in my hometown. In 1971, I graduated with my degree, but I knew my education wasn't finished. I wanted to understand the rules that help keep our country fair for everyone, so I decided to go to law school.

After I finished law school in 1974, I began my career as a lawyer. I worked as a prosecutor, which meant my job was to help make sure that people who broke the law were held responsible for their actions. It was also important to me that everyone, no matter who they were, was treated fairly under the law. I worked very hard, and then something amazing happened. In 1981, I was chosen to become a judge. This was a very special moment for me and for my community because I became the first African American woman to be a judge on the Court of Common Pleas in my county. As a judge, I made sure to listen carefully to every person's story. My goal was always to make decisions that were just and right.

After serving as a judge for many years, I realized I could help even more people by helping to create the laws for our whole country. So, I decided to run for office. In 1998, the people of Ohio voted for me to represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. I was so proud to be the very first African American woman from Ohio ever elected to Congress. It was a great responsibility. In Congress, I worked on big ideas to make life better for families. I focused on improving schools, making sure people could see a doctor when they were sick, and protecting every citizen's right to vote. In 2007, I was chosen to lead a very important group called the House Ethics Committee, which makes sure that members of Congress follow the rules.

I spent my life working to open doors for others and to make sure every voice was heard. I lived to be 58 years old, and my work continued until my last day. People remember me as a trailblazer, someone who wasn't afraid to be the first and to stand up for what was right. I hope my story inspires you to believe in yourself, to work hard for your community, and to know that you can make a big difference in the world, no matter where you start.