Mary Lou Parks Explained

Mary Lou Parks
State House:Michigan
District:3rd
Term Start:July 1, 1993
Term End:1998
Predecessor:Joseph F. Young Sr.
Successor:Artina Tinsley Hardman
Birth Date:24 July 1939
Birth Place:Anderson, South Carolina
Party:Democratic
Alma Mater:Wayne State University

Mary Lou Parks (July 24, 1939August 23, 2015) was a Michigan politician.

Early life

Parks was born on July 24, 1939, in Anderson, South Carolina.[1]

Education

Parks attended Wayne State University.[1]

Career

Parks was executive assistant to U.S. Congressman George Crockett Jr. from 1975 to 1983. Parks was the special assistant Michigan Governor James Blanchard from 1983 to 1990. State representative Joseph F. Young Sr. died on April 9, 1993, sparking a special election to fill his vacancy. On June 29, 1993, Parks won this special election. She was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives where she represented the 3rd district from July 1, 1993, to 1998.[1] Parks ran in the 1998 Michigan Secretary of State election, but was defeated by Candice Miller. Parks was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Michigan in 1976, 1980, and 1988. Parks was an alternate delegate to Democratic National Convention in 1984 and 2004.[2]

Personal life

Parks was divorced and had five children. Parks was a member of the NAACP.[1] [2]

Death

Ferguson died on August 23, 2015.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Legislator Details - Mary Lou Parks. Library of Michigan. April 8, 2020.
  2. Web site: Parks. Political Graveyard. April 8, 2020.