Republished from Vermont Historical Society Black History Database

Louvenia Dorsey Bright was born in Chicago and educated in Michigan. A life-long educator, she took a teaching position in Colchester when her husband was hired as a professor of education at UVM. She eventually joined the UVM faculty as an associate professor of education.

Bright ran for, and won, the district 6-3 seat representing South Burlington in the Vermont legislature. She became the first black woman to hold a seat in the Vermont legislature. And, along with Francis Brooks, was one of only two African-Americans in the legislature at the time. She served until 1994 when her family moved to Illinois.