Gwen B. Giles

Gwen B. Giles (May 14, 1932 - March 26, 1986), was the first African-American woman in the Missouri senate. Giles was involved in the civil rights movement and Democratic politics while working to improve life for the African Americans living in St. Louis, Missouri. Throughout her career, she was a leader in her community and an activist toward African American equality.

Early life Gwen B. Giles was born on May 14, 1932, in Atlanta, Georgia to Dennis and Irene Burdette. In 1935, the Burdette family moved to St. Louis, Missouri where she attended St. Rita Academy and graduated from St. Alphonsus Ligouri High School. She went on to take classes at St. Louis and Washington Universities. In 1955, she married Eddie E. Giles and had a son, Karl, and a daughter, Carla. Later in her life, she married John W. Holmes Jr.

Political career Giles started off her political career in 1968 as a campaign manager for Ruth C. Porter and William L. Clay. Throughout this time, she was actively involved in the civil rights movement. In 1970, Giles was appointed executive secretary of the St. Louis council by Mayor Alfonso J. Cervantes. During her time on the council, Giles worked to eliminate discrimination against minorities. She contributed to this by updating a city ordinance to protect women, the elderly, and the handicapped. She also promoted the passage of the 1976 Comprehensive Civil Rights Ordinance.

Then, in a 1977 special election, Giles was elected to serve as the state senator from the Fourth District filling the seat of Democrat Franklin Payne.

Legacy Giles is known for her efforts as a woman and a minority in public service, including her work to secure secure equal freedoms for all. At her funeral, Mayor Schoemehl said, "She was an early and active proponent of civil rights and worked tirelessly to help those in need. Her intelligence, independence and dedication earned her the respect of the entire community." She is buried in St. Peter's Cemetery in Normandy, Missouri. Two places in St. Louis were renamed in Giles' memory. The Wellston Post Office is now the Gwen B. Giles Post Office Building, and Catalpa Park near where she lived is Gwen Giles Park.