50 Facts About Stacey Abrams

Early Life and Education

Stacey Abrams' journey began with a strong foundation in education and family values. Her early experiences shaped her into the leader she is today.

1. Stacey Yvonne Abrams was born on December 9, 1973, in Madison, Wisconsin.
2. She is the second of six siblings in her family.
3. Her family moved to Gulfport, Mississippi, where her father worked in a shipyard and her mother was a librarian.
4. In 1989, the family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, for her parents to pursue graduate divinity degrees at Emory University.
5. Her parents later became Methodist ministers and returned to Mississippi, while Abrams and two siblings stayed in Atlanta.

High School and Early Activism

Even in high school, Abrams showed a knack for leadership and activism, setting the stage for her future endeavors.

6. Abrams attended Avondale High School in Atlanta, graduating as valedictorian in 1991.
7. She was selected for the Telluride Association Summer Program in 1990.
8. At 17, she was hired as a typist for a congressional campaign and later became a speechwriter.

College Years and Activism

Abrams' college years were marked by significant achievements and activism, laying the groundwork for her political career.

9. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies from Spelman College in 1995, graduating magna cum laude.
10. While in college, she worked in the youth services department in the office of Atlanta mayor Maynard Jackson.
11. She interned at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
12. In 1992, she participated in a protest on the steps of the Georgia Capitol, burning the Georgia state flag, which included the Confederate battle flag.

Law School and Early Career

Abrams' legal education and early career experiences equipped her with the skills needed for her future political roles.

13. She studied public policy at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.
14. She earned her J.D. from Yale Law School in 1999.
15. Abrams began her career as a tax lawyer in Atlanta.
16. At age 29, she became Atlanta’s deputy city attorney, leading more than 20 attorneys and paralegals.

Georgia House of Representatives

Abrams' tenure in the Georgia House of Representatives was marked by historic achievements and impactful legislation.

17. In 2006, Abrams was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, representing a district in Atlanta.
18. She became the first African American to serve as minority leader in the House in 2010.
19. Abrams established the New Georgia Project in 2014 to register voters, particularly young people and people of color.
20. She played a key role in defeating a tax reform bill in 2011 that would raise taxes on the middle class.

Fair Fight Action

After her gubernatorial campaign, Abrams focused on voter rights, founding an organization that would make a significant impact.

21. Abrams founded Fair Fight Action to protect voter rights after her 2018 gubernatorial campaign.
22. The organization has been credited with boosting voter turnout in Georgia, including in the 2020 presidential election and the 2020–21 U.S. Senate elections.

2018 Gubernatorial Campaign

Abrams' 2018 run for governor was historic and brought national attention to issues of voter suppression.

23. In 2018, Abrams ran for governor of Georgia, becoming the first African-American female major-party gubernatorial nominee in the U.S.
24. She won the Democratic primary with endorsements from Bernie Sanders and Our Revolution.
25. Despite high-profile support, Abrams narrowly lost to Republican candidate Brian Kemp, 50.2% to 48.8%.
26. She refused to concede, accusing Kemp of engaging in voter suppression as Georgia Secretary of State.

State of the Union Response

Abrams made history again by delivering a significant speech in response to the State of the Union address.

27. In February 2019, Abrams became the first African-American woman to deliver a response to the State of the Union address.
28. She highlighted issues such as voter suppression and healthcare access in her rebuttal to President Donald Trump's speech.

2022 Gubernatorial Campaign

Abrams ran for governor again in 2022, continuing her fight for voter rights and fair elections.

29. In 2021, Abrams announced her candidacy for governor again, running unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
30. She lost to Brian Kemp in the general election by a larger margin this time and conceded on the night of the election.

Author and Entrepreneur

Abrams is not just a politician; she is also a successful author and entrepreneur with diverse interests.

31. Abrams has written eight romantic suspense novels under the pen name Selena Montgomery, selling over 100,000 copies.
32. She has published nonfiction works on public policy, taxation, and nonprofit organizations.

Awards and Recognition

Abrams' contributions have been recognized with numerous awards and honors.

33. She received the prestigious John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award in 2012 for her work in public service.
34. Abrams was named one of “12 Rising Legislators to Watch” by Governing magazine.
35. She was listed among the “100 Most Influential Georgians” by Georgia Trend for 2012 and 2013.

Board Memberships and Community Involvement

Abrams' commitment to service extends to her involvement in various boards and community initiatives.

36. She serves on the Board of Trustees for Agnes Scott College and the Board of Directors for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee.
37. Abrams is an Advisory Board member for Literacy Action and Health Students Taking Action Together.
38. She has been recognized for her public service by organizations such as the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Latin American Association.

International Fellowships and Awards

Abrams' work has been recognized internationally, and she has participated in several prestigious fellowships.

39. She has been a fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations, the American Assembly at Columbia University, and the Salzburg Seminar.
40. Abrams received the Stevens Award for Outstanding Legal Contributions and the Elmer Staats Award for Public Service from the Harry S. Truman Foundation.

Georgia Trend’s “40 Under 40” List

Abrams has been recognized as one of the most influential young leaders in Georgia.

41. She was included in Georgia Trend’s “40 Under 40” list.
42. Abrams was also listed among Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “Top 50 Under 40”.

Rising Super Lawyers and Publications

Abrams' legal expertise and writing have earned her recognition and respect.

43. She was recognized as one of Georgia’s Rising Super Lawyers by Atlanta Magazine and Law & Politics Magazine.
44. Abrams has published articles on public policy issues in The Christian Science Monitor, Yale Law and Policy Review, U.S. News and World Reports, and the Huffington Post.

Nonfiction Books and Voter Rights Activism

Abrams' written works and activism have made a significant impact on public policy and voter rights.

45. She has written several nonfiction books focusing on public policy, taxation, and voter rights.
46. Her organization, Fair Fight Action, has been instrumental in addressing voter suppression and increasing voter turnout in Georgia.

Impact on Georgia Politics

Abrams' efforts have transformed Georgia's political landscape and contributed to significant Democratic victories.

47. Her establishment of the New Georgia Project aimed to register voters, particularly young people and people of color.
48. Her advocacy contributed to Joe Biden's win in the 2020 presidential election and Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock's Senate victories.

Leadership in the Democratic Party

Abrams' leadership and influence within the Democratic Party have been widely recognized.

49. She has been endorsed by prominent Democrats such as Bernie Sanders and Barack Obama.
50. Abrams delivered the Democratic Party's response to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address in February 2019, highlighting issues like voter suppression and healthcare access.

Stacey Abrams' Lasting Impact

Stacey Abrams has made a huge mark on American politics and society. From her early days in activism to her historic runs for governor, she’s shown relentless dedication to voter rights and public service. Her work with Fair Fight Action and the New Georgia Project has significantly boosted voter turnout, especially among young people and people of color. Abrams' influence extends beyond politics; she’s also an accomplished author and entrepreneur. Her efforts have not only shaped Georgia’s political landscape but have also inspired countless individuals to engage in civic duties. Abrams' legacy is one of resilience, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to justice and equality. Her story continues to inspire and motivate future generations to fight for what’s right. As she moves forward, her impact will undoubtedly be felt for years to come. Stacey Abrams is a name that will be remembered in history.