Former Indiana state representative Mae Dickinson passed Tuesday morning at the age of 83. From 1992 to 2007, Dickinson represented Indiana’s 95th House District and was known for her passion for protecting Indiana’s most vulnerable residents. She wrote legislation that safeguarded people testifying in criminal trials and fought for harsher punishments for people convicted of battery. Her desire to help at-risk youth was well known. She served on the Governor’s Commission on Abused and Neglected Children and Their Families and supported legislation created to protect children.
Many local leaders are reflecting on Dickinson’s life:
Indianapolis City-County Council President Maggie Lewis said:
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of State Representative Mae Dickinson. For nearly 15 years, she served the people of Indianapolis’ 95th district with valor. Colossians 1:10 says, ‘Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.’
“Representative Dickinson produced good fruit for the City of Indianapolis. Because of her profound commitment, our community has tougher domestic violence penalties and more extensive background checks for school corporations. On behalf of the City-County Council, my deepest sympathy goes out to her family for their great loss.”
Indiana House Democrats tweeted:
“RIP to former State Rep. Mae Dickinson, long-time advocate for children’s issues and victims of domestic violence.”
U.S. Congressman Andre Carson shared:
“Saddened to hear about the passing of former State Rep. Mae Dickinson. Mae was not only a friend, she was a leader, stateswoman and gift to our entire community. May God bless her family during this time.”
State Rep. Cherrish Pryor added:
“Whenever anyone thought of Mae, they remembered her great beauty and warmth and wisdom. They also remembered she was a force to be reckoned with. Her legacy — which includes kinship care, protecting victims of domestic battery and criminal history checks for school employees — was marked by her determination to do what was right and her unwillingness to back down in the face of great odds.
“We will miss her counsel and the example she set — as an African-American woman. At a time when we are remembering Dr. King, it is fitting that we also recall Mae Dickinson as a woman who set a shining example for people of all races and all genders.”
