Behold, the 21 Inspiring Black Women of Congress

Valdez "Val" Demings is the Democratic representative for Florida's 10th congressional district. The 59-year-old Jacksonville native just assumed office this year; however, she was also the Democratic nominee in the 2012 election.

Demings made history when she was appointed as the chief of the Orlando Police Department in 2007, becoming the first woman to hold the position. According to the Orlando Sentinel, she was responsible for reducing violent crime and gun violence in the city.