Black PR Wire Power Profiler on Former Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek

Former Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek is one of the most visionary and productive public servants in U.S. history. Now retired, she continues creating a legacy in action at The Carrie Meek Foundation, guided and inspired by her goals and accomplishments. The Carrie Meek Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that sponsors and promotes programs in Education, Housing, Health, and Economic Development and is committed to improving the quality of life for all residents of our community.

Carrie P. Meek has had successful careers and a huge impact as both an educator and an elected public official. Born in Tallahassee, FL, Congresswoman Meek grew up in the Jim Crow South. She earned a B.A. in biology and physical education from Florida A&M University, where she was both an exceptional student and a star athlete. She earned her master’s degree in public health and physical education from the University of Michigan, and completed all of the course work for her doctorate. She coached women’s basketball at Bethune-Cookman College, taught biological sciences and physical education there and at Florida A&M University, and later served as Special Assistant to the Vice President of Miami-Dade Community College.

Rep. Meek was elected to both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate, where she chaired the Education Appropriations Subcommittee and established herself as a skilled debater and one of the state legislature’s most effective members.

As a new member of Congress, Congresswoman Meek introduced legislation–subsequently passed by Congress and signed into law by the President–to provide retirement security for household workers such as gardeners, nannies, and cleaning personnel.

Congresswoman Meek has always been a strong advocate for senior citizens. Her amendment to the FY 1998 funding bill for the Department of Housing and Urban Development added $195 million to the Section 202 elderly housing program. Meek also sponsored an amendment to extend Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to aged, blind, or handicapped legal aliens. She led efforts to use scientific sampling techniques to issue accurate population counts in the 2000 Census–a matter of particular importance to ensure fair representation to often-undercounted minority communities. Throughout her career, Meek directed the power of government to help thousands of people with individual problems they experienced.