Behold, the 21 Inspiring Black Women of Congress

Yvette Clarke currently represents New York's ninth district. A Democrat, 52-year-old Clarke assumed office in 2013 and previously represented New York's 11th district for several years.

Clarke attended Oberlin College, but she did not complete her undergraduate degree and instead ran for New York City Council in 2001. Interestingly, she was elected to her mother's council seat, which she had held for over a decade. Clarke's victory made her the first daughter to succeed her mother in city council history.