Paterson, David Alexander

1954- · Contribution: 2008-2010

Law & Civil Rights

First legally blind person to serve as governor of a U.S. state; third African American to serve as a state governor

Law & Civil Rights: collage image
Law & Civil Rights

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Quick facts

Born
1954-
Category
Law & Civil Rights

Impact on the world

Paterson broke barriers of both race and disability, leading the nation's financial-capital state through an economic crisis as its first Black, and first blind, governor.

An alternative history

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Sources

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    National Governors Association

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