Sheryl Williams Stapleton
Sheryl Williams Stapleton | |
|---|---|
| Majority Leader of the New Mexico House of Representatives | |
| In office January 17, 2017 – July 30, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Nate Gentry |
| Succeeded by | Doreen Gallegos (Acting) |
| Member of the New Mexico House of Representatives from the 19th district | |
| In office January 1995 – July 30, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | ??? |
| Succeeded by | Kay Bounkeua |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 30, 1957 Saint Croix, Virgin Islands |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | New Mexico State University (BS) University of New Mexico (MA, PhD) |
Sheryl Williams Stapleton (born July 30, 1957)[1] is an American politician and educator who served as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives from 1995 until her resignation in July 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, she also served as the majority floor leader in the House from 2017 to 2021.
Early life and education[]
Stapleton was born in Saint Croix. She was raised in Chicago and New York City.[2][3] She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from New Mexico State University, followed by Master of Arts in multicultural education and PhD in educational leadership from the University of New Mexico.[4]
Career[]
Prior to entering politics, Stapleton worked as an educator in the Albuquerque Public Schools. She also served as the coordinator for the Schools to Careers Program and assistant principal of the Career Enrichment Center.[4] She was first elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in 1994 and is the first African-American woman elected to the New Mexico Legislature. She has also served as vice chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico and a member of the Democratic National Committee from New Mexico. Following the 2016 elections, Williams was chosen by the Democratic Caucus of New Mexico as house majority leader. She was the first African American majority leader of the New Mexico House.[5]
On July 30, 2021, Stapleton resigned from the House amid a criminal investigation into alleged "racketeering, money laundering, receiving illegal kickbacks, and violations of the New Mexico Governmental Conduct Act".[6]
References[]
- ^ "Profile at Freedom Speaks". Retrieved October 18, 2009.
- ^ "Lawmaker rose to power at Roundhouse". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
- ^ "The Honorable Sheryl Williams Stapleton's Biography". The HistoryMakers. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
- ^ a b "Representative Sheryl M. Williams-Stapleton's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
- ^ "Egolf in line to be next Speaker of the House". Retrieved November 23, 2016.
- ^ Daniel J. Chacón (July 30, 2021). "State Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton resigns amid criminal investigation". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
External links[]
- Representative Sheryl Williams Stapleton at the New Mexico Legislature
- Project Vote Smart profile
- Campaign Contributions: 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000
- New Mexico Votes profile
- Sheryl Williams Stapleton's Ballotpedia page
- 1958 births
- 21st-century American politicians
- 21st-century American women politicians
- African-American state legislators in New Mexico
- African-American women in politics
- Living people
- Members of the New Mexico House of Representatives
- New Mexico Democrats
- Politicians from Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Women state legislators in New Mexico
- 21st-century African-American women
- 21st-century African-American politicians
- 20th-century African-American people
- 20th-century African-American women