Black History Month: Gerald Talbot, Maine’s first Black lawmaker
During his three House terms, Talbot championed migrant worker rights, Indian tribal sovereignty, fair housing and creating a holiday to honor King.
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In August 1963, Gerald Talbot stands at left on Market Street with other Mainers who took part in the March on Washington. Left to right: Gerald Talbot, Alfred Burris, Lawrence Graham, Reverend Valton V. Morse, Elizabeth Aldrich, Mrs. Joseph Robey, Reverend John C. Bruce Press Herald photo courtesy Portland Public Library Special Collections and Archives
Newspaper compositor and civil rights advocate Gerald Talbot, a Democrat from Portland, was elected to Maine House of Representatives on Nov. 7, 1972, making him the first Black member of the Maine Legislature.