Floy Clements Explained

Floy Clements
Birthname:Floy Stephens
Birth Date:November 20, 1891
Birth Place:Memphis, Tennessee
Death Place:Niles, Illinois
Restingplace:Lincoln Cemetery
State House:Illinois
State:Illinois
District:22nd
Succeeded:Lycurgus Conner
Party:Democratic
Residence:Chicago, Illinois
Alma Mater:Wilberforce University

Floy Mae Clements (née Stephens November 20, 1891 – September 29, 1973) was an American actress and politician in Illinois. She was the first African American woman to serve in the Illinois General Assembly upon her election to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1958. Earlier in her life she was an actress in two of Oscar Micheaux films.

Biography

Floy Mae Clements was born November 20, 1891, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Alexander Stephens and Katie Stephens Smith.[1] [2] Her family moved to Chicago when she was three. Her father would open a chain of restaurants on the south side of the city.[1] She attended Wendell Phillips High School followed by Wilberforce University, where she graduated with a degree in social studies. While at Wilberforce, she portrayed Alma Prichard in the 1920 silent film drama Within Our Gates, directed by Oscar Micheaux, and starring Evelyn Preer. She also had a supporting role in Micheaux's 1920 film The Brute.[3]

Clements moved back to Chicago, settling in the Grand Boulevard community.[4] In 1927, she joined the 4th Ward Democratic Organization as a precinct captain during a time when few African Americans supported the Democratic Party. She would eventually serve as the committeewoman under four different elected Ward Committeeman. In 1935, she was a member of the Negro Women’s Division of the Illinois Democratic Women’s Club.

During World War II, Clements was a member of the American Red Cross Motor Corps.[5] Other notable civic involvement included service as Grand Traveling Deputy of the State of Illinois for the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World, Worthy Matron of the Electa Chapter and Grand Officer of the Eureka Grand Chapter of the Prince Hall Order of the Eastern Star and service to St. Mark Methodist Church.[6]

Clements ran for the Illinois House of Representatives in the 1958 primary with the backing of 4th ward Alderman Claude Holman.[7] She was sworn into office on January 7, 1959.[8] When asked why she entered politics and ran as a Democrat, she responded, “I have always, all my life, voted the straight Democratic ticket. I feel it is the party that has done most for Negroes.” According to the Chicago Tribune, the Moline Dispatch reported in 1958 that “Mrs. Clements said she was drafted for the post” and “has no particular political ambitions.”

She served as one of three representatives from the 22nd district with Republican Elwood Graham and fellow Democrat Charles F. Armstrong.[9] During her single term in the House, Clements was assigned to the following committees; Education; Military & Veteran Affairs; Public Aid, Health Welfare and Safety; and Roads & Bridges.[10] She was succeeded by Lycurgus Conner.[11]

Floy Clements died in Niles, Illinois, and is buried at Lincoln Cemetery in Worth Township, Illinois.[12]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: . Joy For Floy, She Registers A 1st. April 19, 1958. Chicago Defender.
  2. News: . Mrs. Kate Stephens Smith Dies After Long Illness. October 23, 1926. Chicago Defender.
  3. News: Foster. A.L.. Other Peoples Business: A Proud First. November 22, 1958. Chicago Defender.
  4. News: . Clubwoman's Passing Mourned. November 30, 1960. Chicago Defender.
  5. News: . Motor Corps Auxiliary Has 20 Graduates: First Aid Classes Get Certificates. August 1, 1942. Chicago Defender.
  6. Web site: Bone. Jan. Commission on the Status of Women. Report and Recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly. 26. June 1974. Illinois Commission on the Status of Women. Springfield, Illinois. August 21, 2017.
  7. News: . Floy Clement Seated As First Femme Legislator. January 17, 1959. Chicago Defender. 3.
  8. News: Grossman . Ron . February 19, 2021 . Flashback: Lost to history: Floy Clements and her historic rise to become state’s first Black female lawmaker . August 20, 2024 . Chicago Tribune.
  9. http://www.idaillinois.org/cdm/ref/collection/bb/id/12763 Illinois Blue Book 1959-1960
  10. Web site: Musser. Ashley. Dutton. Julie. Illinois Women in Congress and General Assembly. February 11, 2016. Illinois Legislative Research Unit. Springfield, Illinois. August 21, 2017.
  11. http://www.idaillinois.org/cdm/ref/collection/bb/id/14562 Illinois Blue Book 1961-1962
  12. News: . Mrs. Clements rites. September 29, 1973. Chicago Defender.