Yvonne Brathwaite Burke was the first African American woman to serve in the California Legislature and the first Black woman from California to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. She served in Congress from 1973 to the end of 1978. She was also the Los Angeles County Supervisor representing the 2nd District from 1992 to 2008. Her early legislative efforts centered around juvenile issues and limiting the garnishment of wages.