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by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman
February 14, 2024
Rep. Alyce Clarke, the primary Black Girl State Consultant in Mississippi, now has her portrait displayed within the state Capitol.
The primary Black lady to be elected to the Mississippi Legislature, former Rep. Alyce Clarke, will probably be formally celebrated by the state. A portrait of Clarke will probably be featured within the halls of Mississippi’s Capitol constructing. A ceremony was held Feb. 13 to unveil the art work.
In the course of the ceremony, buddies and native politicians got here to honor Clarke as her oil portray was positioned within the Home Schooling committee assembly room, WLBT experiences.
“Thank God, I’ve had extra good days than I’ve had unhealthy days,” Clarke, 84, advised these in attendance. “And I’d similar to to thank all people who’s right here. I’d like to assist all people who’s helped me to get right here as a result of I did nothing on my own.”
Clarke, a state consultant for the Democratic Social gathering in Mississippi for 39 years, was first elected on behalf of the 69th district in 1984. She declined to run for re-election in 2023.
Throughout her time in workplace, she labored on bettering and establishing schooling and diet packages for the state’s households and youngsters, together with the Born Free drug and alcohol remedy program for pregnant ladies. Clarke helped launch the state’s drug courts and remedy packages to assist maintain these affected by drug dependancy out of jail.
A era of political advocates was impressed by her work. Rep. Robert Johnson of Natchez spoke of her insistence that HBCUs, reminiscent of her alma mater Alcorn State College, have been all the time thought of for important funding.
“I opened the door and got here out, and who’s standing exterior the door? Ms. Clarke,” Johnson mentioned. “I’m going to let you know: The town of Jackson, the drug courts, the lottery, and Alcorn State College—no person had a greater champion than Alyce Clarke.”
Her portrait will probably be among the many white male lawmakers within the Capitol, making her a distinguished determine within the state’s legislative historical past for bettering the lives of these most susceptible in Mississippi.
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