Arthenia Joyner was first elected to the Florida legislature in 2000, taking office amid the legal turmoil of the presidential election between George Bush and Al Gore. Her sixteen year career as a state lawmaker included two years as senate minority leader, and she was the first Black woman elected to that post.

We sat down to talk with Joyner about her trailblazing career and an upbringing that helped shape her commitment to equality and justice.