Sarah A. Anderson
Sarah A. Anderson (January 23, 1901 – December 9, 1992) was a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. An "advocate for the rights of children, minorities, women and the impaired during her 17 years in the state House of Representatives," according to her obituary, she was also "the first black woman to preside over the General Assembly and serve as chairwoman of the Health and Welfare Committee." Background Born in Jacksonville, Florida on January 25, 1901, Anderson was a daughter of Dr. Harry Anderson, the first practicing black dentist in Florida. She graduated from the Philadelphia High School for Girls and Philadelphia Normal School. Professionally, she then became an elementary school teacher in the Philadelphia public schools. Public service and political career A member of the 30th Ward Democratic Committee, she also served as an inspector for the Philadelphia Elections Board, as a member of the 44th Ward Executive Committee, as a judge for the 24th Division Election Board, as a member of District 1 of the Democratic Executive Committee, and as a legislative consultant for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. A Democrat, she was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 1955 term,