Cora Reynolds Anderson


Cora Reynolds Anderson was both the first woman and the first Native American elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. In 2001, she was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.

Early life

Anderson was born in L'Anse, Michigan on April 10, 1882. She was a member of the La Pointe band of the Chippewa tribe.
She graduated from the L'Anse High School in 1899 and completed her teacher's diploma from Haskell Institute.

Career

She began her career as a teacher at Zeba mission in L'Anse. Deeply concerned about public health, Anderson campaigned in support of Prohibition and against tuberculosis. In 1924, she became the first woman and first Native American to be elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, succeeding Republican Patrick H. O'Brien. She represented the Baraga, Iron, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties in the lower house of Michigan legislature and headed its Industrial Home for Girls Committee. During her tenure from 1925–26, she was also served on the state house committees for Agriculture, Insurance, and Northern State Normal School.

Death and legacy

Anderson died on March 11, 1950.
She was inducted to the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 2001. In Lansing, both the Anderson House Office Building and Cora's Cafe within the Anderson House Buildingare named in her honor. A portrait of her created by Joshua Adam Risner was unveiled at the Michigan House Building in December 2016.