Legislator Details
Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick
AKA:
Number of sessions served 9
Gender: Female
Age at election: 33
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 6/25/1945
City: Detroit, MI
County: Wayne County, MI
Country: US
Death
Date: 10/7/2025
City: Fayetteville, GA
County: Fayette County, GA
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date: 10/22/2025
City:
County:
Country: US
Cemetery:
Marital Information:
married Bernard N. Kilapatrick, 1968; div. 1981; children: Kwame and Ayanna
Number of Children: 2
Background
Religion: Shrine of the Black Madonna of the Pan African Ort
Military Service:
Occupation: teacher
Race: African American or Negro or Black
Education:
graduated from the H.S. of Commerce, Detroit, MI;
AA 1965, Ferris State University
BA 1968, Western Michigan University
MA 1977, University of Michigan;
OR [conflicting dates]
attended Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, 1968-1970; BS, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, 1972; MS in education admin., University of Michigan, 1977.
Biographical Sketch:
Daughter of Marvel and Willow Cheeks. She taught in Detroit Public Schools, 1970-78 and worked on Coleman Young's 1st mayoral campaign, 1973. Served on the first Michigan African Trade Mission, 1984. Chair of Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, 1983-4. Member of the (US) Transportation Subcommittee (2006) and chaired the Congressional Black Caucus's Political Action Committee (2006). Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. She was affiliated with several National Black women's organizations. Member of Detroit Substance Abuse Advisory Council; and Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
Notable Facts:
Second Black woman elected to the US House of Representatives. Elected to the 105th & succeeding Congresses 1997-2011. Member of the Shrine of the Black Madonna of the Pan African Orthodox Christian Church. House whip; 1st black woman to serve on the House Appropriation Comm. . Mother of state Rep. and Detroit Mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick. Died from Alzheimer's disease. Known as Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick; middle name was Jean.
Sessions Served:
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On:
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 9
District Description: Part of the city of Detroit [see map in Manual p.243] in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/8/1994
Date Sworn In: 1/11/1995
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Appropriations
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 9
District Description: City of Detroit pt-tracts 5258, 5260-5263, 5251, 5253, 5264, 5265, 5304, 5305, 5307, 5308, 5310, 5311, 5314-5316, 5332, 5334-5337, 5341, 5345 and 5346 in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/3/1992
Date Sworn In: 1/13/1993
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Appropriations
Postions Held: Majority Whip
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 8
District Description:
Date Elected: 11/6/1990
Date Sworn In: 1/9/1991
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Appropriations
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 8
District Description: City of Detroit pt.--tracts 5306-5314, 5318, 5321, 5326-5337 (That portion of Detroit which lies within a line beginning at Livernois and Cortland, east on Cortland to Dexter, south to Elmhurst, east to Linwood, north to W. Davison, east to Rosa Parks, Blvd., south to Calvert, east to Lodge Freeway, sout to W. Grand Blvd., west to Tireman, west to Livernois, north on Livernois to Cortland the point of beginning.
Date Elected: 11/8/1988
Date Sworn In: 1/11/1989
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Appropriations
Postions Held: Majority Whip
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 8
District Description: City of Detroit pt.--tracts 5306-5314, 5318, 5321, 5326-5337 (That portion of Detroit which lies within a line beginning at Livernois and Cortland, east on Cortland to Dexter, south to Elmhurst, east to Linwood, north to W. Davison, east to Rosa Parks, Blvd., south to Calvert, east to Lodge Freeway, sout to W. Grand Blvd., west to Tireman, west to Livernois, north on Livernois to Cortland the point of beginning.
Date Elected: 11/4/1986
Date Sworn In: 1/14/1987
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Appropriations
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 8
District Description: City of Detroit pt.--tracts 5306-5314, 5318, 5321, 5326-5337 (That portion of Detroit which lies within a line beginning at Livernois and Cortland, east on Cortland to Dexter, south to Elmhurst, east to Linwood, north to W. Davison, east to Rosa Parks, Blvd., south to Calvert, east to Lodge Freeway, sout to W. Grand Blvd., west to Tireman, west to Livernois, north on Livernois to Cortland the point of beginning.
Date Elected: 11/6/1984
Date Sworn In: 1/9/1985
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Appropriations
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 8
District Description: City of Detroit pt.--tracts 5306-5314, 5318, 5321, 5326-5337 (That portion of Detroit which lies within a line beginning at Livernois and Cortland, east on Cortland to Dexter, south to Elmhurst, east to Linwood, north to W. Davison, east to Rosa Parks, Blvd., south to Calvert, east to Lodge Freeway, sout to W. Grand Blvd., west to Tireman, west to Livernois, north on Livernois to Cortland the point of beginning.
Date Elected: 11/2/1982
Date Sworn In: 1/12/1983
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status:
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Constitutional Revision & Women's Rights, Consumers, Corrections , Education , Liquor Control
Postions Held: Majority Floor Whip
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 18
District Description: City of Detroit tracts 10 (Blocks 101-6), 11 (Less: Blocks 201-7), 12 (Less: Block 306), 13, 15-20, 21 (Less: Block 105), 27 (Block 304), 39 (Blocks 101-4), 40 (Less: Blocks 205-7, 301), 41 (Blocks 101-2, 207-9, 301-2), 43, 116, 117 (Blocks 102-5, 108-9, 201-6), 118 (Less: Blocks 103-4), 119-22, 151-8, l59 (Blocks 101-5, 402-5), 160 (Less: Block 101), 162 (Less: Blocks 101-7, 201, 301-5, 307), 180 (Blocks 307-9), 187 (Blocks 106-9) in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/4/1980
Date Sworn In: 1/14/1981
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Vice-Chair of the Committees on Constitutional Revision & Women's Rights; and Liquor Control
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Constitutional Revision & Women's Rights, Consumers, Corrections , Education
Postions Held: Majority Floor Whip
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 18
District Description: City of Detroit tracts 10 (Blocks 101-6), 11 (Less: Blocks 201-7), 12 (Less: Block 306), 13, 15-20, 21 (Less: Block 105), 27 (Block 304), 39 (Blocks 101-4), 40 (Less: Blocks 205-7, 301), 41 (Blocks 101-2, 207-9, 301-2), 43, 116, 117 (Blocks 102-5, 108-9, 201-6), 118 (Less: Blocks 103-4), 119-22, 151-8, l59 (Blocks 101-5, 402-5), 160 (Less: Block 101), 162 (Less: Blocks 101-7, 201, 301-5, 307), 180 (Blocks 307-9), 187 (Blocks 106-9) in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/7/1978
Date Sworn In: 1/10/1979
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Majority Vice-Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Revision & Women's Rights