Politics

Terri Sewell: First Black woman elected to house seat in Alabama

Democrat Terri Sewell, a lawyer from Birmingham, has become the first black woman to be elected to the U.S. House from Alabama.

Published

16 years ago

November 4, 2010

UVM Staff

Terri Sewell (The Clerk of the United States House of Representives • Public domain)

Terri Sewell (The Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons | https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Terri_Sewell_116th_Congress.jpg )

Alabama – Democrat Terri Sewell, a lawyer from Birmingham, has become the first Black woman to be elected to the U.S. House from Alabama.

Swell won the 7th district seat on Tuesday, defeating Republican businessman Don Chamberlain.

Unheard Voices Magazine - Donate

Unheard Voices Magazine

Support independent storytelling that amplifies voices too often ignored. Your donation keeps our stories alive and accessible.

Donate Today

Every contribution helps fund reporting, editing, and platforms for underrepresented communities.

Sewell, who is from Selma, Ala., won with ease in the heavily Black and Democratic district, which stretches from downtown Birmingham into west and southwest Alabama.

She fills the seat left vacant by U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, who lost a bid to become Alabama’s first Black governor.

Copyright © 2026. All Rights Reserved. Unheard Voices Magazine ®

Real stories. Real impact. Straight to your inbox. Join thousands others. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter today!

Want to tell your story, send a news tip or report a correction? Contact us at [email protected]

Follow us on Facebook, X, TikTok, Instagram, News Break

Discover more from Unheard Voices Magazine®

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Related Topics:Alabama Birmingham Selma Al Senate

Up Next

New York Legislature legalizes same sex marriages

Don't Miss

No African Americans in next U.S. Senate

UVM Staff

Unheard Voices, an award-winning, family owned online news magazine, began in 2004 as a community newsletter serving Neptune, Asbury Park, and Long Branch, N.J. Over time, it grew into a nationally recognized Black-owned media outlet. The publication remains one of the few dedicated to covering social justice issues. Its honors include the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and multiple media innovator awards for excellence in social justice reporting and communications.