Democrats in Congress are working hard to make your lives easier. With your help, I’ll continue being a stakeholder representative who advocates for policies addressing the most urgent needs of the people back home.
For Congresswoman Alma Adams, there are four necessities that all people require to live a quality life – affordable and accessible healthcare, access to healthy and nutritious food, fair and affordable housing, and a quality, first-class education. These essentials, which Alma calls “the 4H’s”, should not be political issues; they should be rights guaranteed to all people. She believes this because she knows personally how hard it is to survive without them.
Alma’s mother was a strong Black woman, who performed domestic work. Alma saw that the only way for her to get ahead was through dedication, hard work and a good education. At different points during her childhood, Alma’s family lacked health insurance and didn’t have much in the way of resources. However, her mother sacrificed and pushed Alma to not only complete her own education but to pursue a path that led her to teach in the classroom as well. Alma raised two wonderful children–including a daughter who followed Alma’s lead and became a teacher herself.
Alma’s introduction to politics was on her local School Board, where she became the first African American woman elected to that body and was a strong advocate for educational opportunities for everyone in her community. After serving on the School Board, Alma was elected to a seat on her City Council where she led efforts for affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization programs. Alma has never forgotten the importance of the work to keep a roof over people’s heads.
Alma was appointed to the General Assembly in 1994 and had a distinguished career of service in the North Carolina House of Representatives. During that time, Alma fought to improve the lives of women, children, and families. She fought to increase North Carolina’s minimum wage; ensured children had access to free and reduced school lunch; and supported legislation for quality, affordable health care for seniors and children.
In 2014, Alma won a special election for North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District to fill the remaining term of Representative Mel Watt. During her time in Congress, Alma has continued the fight to increase the minimum wage; launched the Adams’ Hunger Initiative to combat child hunger in North Carolina; and supported policies to finance billions of dollars of new affordable housing construction. As co-founder of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, along with Rep. Lauren Underwood, she has led efforts to combat high mortality rates among Black women during childbirth and pushed for the Momnibus, a package of twelve bills focusing on better maternal health outcomes and reducing the disparities in women’s health. As co-founder and chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU caucus, she has led the fight to keep Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as sustainable options for low-income, first-generation college students – just like herself.
Alma has never forgotten where she came from – she has always strived to be a Congresswoman who opens doors of opportunity for all children, no matter the circumstances of their birth. She will continue to be a stakeholder representative who fights to make Congress focus on the issues that matter most to the people of her district. What matters to you, matters to her. She is an accessible and available representative who encourages and invites you to come to the table.
Alma Adams received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Art Education from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro and took her Ph.D. in Art Education and Multicultural Education from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio and has been a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated since 1978.
Alma has never forgotten where she came from – she has always strived to be a Congresswoman who opens doors of opportunity for all children, no matter the circumstances of their birth. She will continue to be a stakeholder representative who fights to make Congress focus on the issues that matter most to the people of her district. What matters to you, matters to her. She is an accessible and available representative who encourages and invites you to come to the table.
Alma Adams received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Art Education from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro and took her Ph.D. in Art Education and Multicultural Education from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio and has been a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority since 1978.
Alma On The Issues
Standing up for Women
I will always fight for a woman’s right to choose and the right to privacy. Reproductive issues are medical issues and they should be kept private between a woman and her doctor. Despite all our progress, women are still fighting for equal health care, equal pay, equal representation, equal respect, and equal rights. I made sure the Build Back Better Act included transformative legislation for maternal health. I also support legislation that would provide paid family and medical leave benefits, making it easier for women to return to work after the pandemic.
Improving Public Education and Higher Education
As a retired educator, I have seen first-hand the impact a great education can have on a young person’s life. I will always be a champion for public schools, our teachers, our children and our Historically Black Colleges and Universities. I want to make sure our HBCUs not only survive, but thrive. That’s why I am the primary sponsor for the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act, which would be an historic investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions nationwide.
Fighting for Better Healthcare
Martin Luther King, Jr., said, “of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane.” The United States has the worst maternal health outcomes, including mortality and morbidity, out of all other developed nations. Black women are three to four times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related complication compared to white women. That’s why I founded the Black Maternal Health Caucus and why I’m fighting for the Momnibus, a package of 12 bills focused on improving maternal health outcomes and closing the disparity gap. I also support a single-payer health care system and am fighting to ensure North Carolina expands Medicaid.