Arlington County, Virginia (September 24, 1931 -February 3, 2013) 81 yrs

Cardiss Hortense Collins was an American politician from Illinois. She served in the United States House of Representatives from 1973 to 1997. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the fourth African American woman in Congress. She was also the first to represent the Midwest. Her legislative interests included establishing Universal health insurance. She focused on providing gender equity in college spots and reforming federal child-care facilities. Throughout her political career, she was a champion for women’s health and welfare issues.