E. Melvin Porter
| E. Melvin Porter | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Oklahoma Senate for the 48th district | |
| In office 1965–1987 | |
| Preceded by | none (first member) |
| Succeeded by | Vicki Miles-LaGrange |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 22, 1930 Okmulgee, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Jewel (div.)[1] |
| Residence | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
Edward Melvin Porter (born May 22, 1930) is an American lawyer, former politician and civil rights activist in the state of Oklahoma.
Biography
Porter was born in 1931 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. He attended Tennessee State University, Vanderbilt University (L.L.B.) and Shorter College (L.L.D.). He passed the Oklahoma Bar examination in 1960. A lawyer, Porter has seven children.[2][3] In 1961, Porter served as president of the Oklahoma City National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.[4]
After an unsuccessful campaign for a seat in the State House in 1962, Porter was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate in 1964 to serve the newly redrawn district 48. He is the first African American to sit in the Oklahoma State Senate. He served until 1987.[4]