Sarah A. Anderson

Sarah A. Anderson (January 25, 1901 – December 9, 1992) was an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the Philadelphia County district from 1955 to 1968 and the 193rd district from 1969 to 1972. She was the first black woman to preside over the General Assembly and to serve as chairwoman of the Health and Welfare Committee.

Early life and education Born in Jacksonville, Florida, on January 25, 1901, Anderson was a daughter of Dr. Harry Anderson, the first practicing black dentist in Florida. She graduated from the Philadelphia High School for Girls and Philadelphia Normal School.

In 1956, she was an alternate delegate to National Democratic Convention; in 1960, she was elected as a delegate to the National Democratic Convention. She then also served as an appointed member of the: Commission on Philadelphia School Charter, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Governor's Commission on the Status of Women, Governor's Council on Drugs, Governor's Task Force on Human Services, and State Advisory Committee on Mental Health/Mental Retardation.

Death and interment A resident of West Philadelphia during her final years, Anderson died on December 9, 1992, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was interred at the West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Adolphus W. Anderson Sr., a podiatrist.