Sewell: “When I Get to Washington, We All Get to Washington”

“When I get to Washington, we all get to Washington.”

Those were the words proclaimed by Terri Sewell in July 2010 as she secured the Democratic Party nomination for the 7th congressional district of Alabama.

With a landslide victory of 72 percent of the vote, Sewell went on to win the seat during mid-term elections.  A history making moment, she is the first African American woman to serve in Congress from the state of Alabama. But, being a trailblazer isn’t anything new for Sewell who was also the first black valedictorian from Selma High School.

Terri Sewell was born into a family of educators and raised in the 7th congressional district of Alabama. After high school, she attended Princeton University, where she graduated with top honors.  She received her Masters degree with first class honors from Oxford University and attended law school at Harvard University.

In addition to valuing education, Sewell was also taught to give back to her community by service to others.  So, after having achieved great success on Wall Street as a securities lawyer, this desire to give back prompted Sewell’s return to her home state.

Upon her return, she worked diligently both professionally and in the community to bring funding to underserved school districts and higher education institutions.  She was also successful in helping to bring Teach For America into schools in her region, and helped raise funds to establish the first Domestic Violence Court in Birmingham Municipal Court, among her many efforts and accomplishments.

Already having become a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, it’s clear Sewell is in Washington to do the work of her people; and representing the Black Belt is no easy task.  A predominately Black populated region of rural Alabama, the per capita income is only $15,600 and unemployment rates sit around 20 percent.

Even as a member of the minority party, Sewell is determined to make good on her campaign promises of economic growth.  When asked how she plans to do that, Sewell says,

I want to find resources to invest in infrastructure improvements…there are parts of this district that you just can’t access. You can’t freely move your goods and services and we’re not going to be able to attract industry until we get better infrastructure.

She has already been successful in bringing home $844,944 in funding for the City of Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service. The funds are from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) program and will enable Birmingham firefighters to upgrade their firefighting equipment and purchase new cardiac monitors for their ambulances.  This funding means the departments won’t have to cut pay checks or jobs to improve life saving resources.

Quite a feat for the congressional newcomer, but especially during a battle over the budget.  It’s no wonder Sewell’s constituents have faith that she will work tirelessly to improve their lives.

Director of Media Relations @Politic365 ; Multi-Media Strategist & Content Producer--- Prior to joining Politic365, Elesha Barnette spent nine years with Procter & Gamble. Elesha has a rich, diverse background in sales analytics as well as merchandising & marketing of Fortune 500 brands. In addition to her experiences in business development, Elesha has also run a freelance media production company that develops stories for screen. Elesha has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill in Communications/Media Production.

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3 Responses to Sewell: “When I Get to Washington, We All Get to Washington”

1. nancy02101 says:

   12:59am March 1, 2011 at 12:59 am

   Now can we start asking my Terri Sewell voted to extend the Patriot Act? Why did Terri Sewell vote against Congressman Clyburn for Minority Whip? Why did Terri Sewell vote for less stringent boiler regulations?
   Its great to have a first black but at what cost?
   Terri Sewell has shown that she will vote with her corporate donors to the end. Terri Sewell actually even lives in Congressional District 6 as she claims to know the issues of Congressional District 7 to which she represents. This is all online also.
   The author of this article should look this up.

   Reply
2. Bub says:

   1:12am March 1, 2011 at 1:12 am

   Yes, Sewell was bankrolled by Washington and New York special interest. Very little of her money came from in-state. She is correct in that it is all online through the FEC reports. She's bought and paid for by the establishment.

   Reply
3. Bub says:

   2:26am March 2, 2011 at 2:26 am

   Terri Sewell is that a St. John designer suit that you are wearing while you are representing the Black Belt, one of the most disenfranchised districts in the nation?
   You're so classy yet so disrespectful. Rub it in our face as you climb the ladder and our people die of malnutrition, suffer from lack of education and have no jobs.
   Classy.

   Reply