Last fall, the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein led to a significant moment in history as labor leader and advocate Laphonza Butler was appointed to fill her seat. Butler, who hails from Mississippi, became the first Black woman to serve as a U.S. Senator for California. Additionally, she holds the distinction of being the first openly LGBTQ person to represent the state and the first Black lesbian to openly serve in Congress in American history. Her remarkable journey also places her among the few Black women to represent California following Vice President Kamala Harris.
Butler’s influence extends beyond her role in Congress. With nearly 20 years of experience in the labor movement, she became the president of the largest union in California, SEIU Local 2015, at the age of 30. During her tenure, she played a significant role in raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, a landmark achievement for the state. Additionally, Butler has made her mark as a strategist for Democratic electoral campaigns, having worked with prominent figures and campaigns, including Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris.
Prior to her role in the Senate, Butler served as the president of EMILYs List and the director of public policy and campaigns for Airbnb in North America. Her commitment to public service is further evidenced by her involvement with various organizations, including the University of California Board of Regents and the Children’s Defense Fund and BLACK PAC.
As the first openly lesbian Black woman in Congress, Butler’s representation has been celebrated, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Her presence in the Senate is poised to amplify the advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights at both the state and national levels, given California’s significant LGBTQ+ population.
“I am honored to accept Gov. Newsom’s nomination to be a U.S. Senator for a state I have long called home,” Butler expressed in a press release with EMILYs List. “I will do my best to honor her by devoting my time and energy to serving the people of California and the people of this great nation.”
