Julia Carson, the First Black Person to Represent Indianapolis in Congress, Was a Soror of Zeta Phi Beta

Did you know that the first Black person to represent Indianapolis in the United States Congress was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.? Her name was Julia Carson, and she spent her life fighting for the working people of her city.

Julia May Carson was born on July 8, 1938, in Louisville, Kentucky, and grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. She graduated from the city’s historic Crispus Attucks High School and later studied at Martin University and Indiana University. She was a soror of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., which was founded in 1920 at Howard University.

Carson’s rise in public life began in the Indiana legislature. She was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives and then to the Indiana State Senate, where she served from 1976 to 1990, building a reputation as a fierce advocate for her constituents. She later served as a Center Township trustee, where she became known for her work helping struggling families.

In 1996, Carson made history. She was elected to the United States House of Representatives, becoming the first woman and the first African American ever to represent Indianapolis in Congress. As the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis notes, she went on to serve six terms in the House, championing causes like affordable housing, workers’ rights, and support for those in need.

Throughout her career, Carson was known for her tireless advocacy for the vulnerable and her deep connection to the community that raised her. She remained a beloved figure in Indianapolis until her death on December 15, 2007.

From the halls of the Indiana Statehouse to the floor of the United States Congress, Zeta Phi Beta’s Julia Carson broke barriers and gave a voice to the people who needed one most.

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Soror Julia Carson for her lifetime of service and her place in history.