DENVER - Today, Governor Jared Polis and Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera released a statement following the passing of former State Senator Gloria Tanner, the first African American woman in Colorado’s history to serve in the role.
“We join fellow Coloradans in mourning the loss of the great Gloria Tanner, Colorado’s first African American woman to serve as a State Senator, and the second to be elected to a leadership position in the Colorado House of Representatives. Beyond her storied career spanning 17 years at the Capitol — fighting to pass landmark legislation to improve the lives of women and families — former Senator Tanner’s undying love for her community is manifest in her mission to shape emerging leaders. On the day that Gloria Tanner leaves our physical world behind, she also leaves doors of opportunity open for the next generation to make a profound difference, to be a part of the change.”
Senator Tanner was the lead founder of Colorado Black Women for Political Action (CBWPA); a co-founder with former Senator Regis Groff of the Colorado Black Roundtable (CBRT); and the co-creator of NOBEL-Women (National Organization of Black Elected Legislators) headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Honorable Gloria Tanner established the Senator Gloria Tanner Leadership and Training Institute for Future Black Women Leaders of Colorado in 2001 and was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame in 2002.