Curtis L. Lawson (1935–2008) was an American state politician from Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1964 he was one of the first three African Americans elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives since A. C. Hamlin in 1908.
Lawson represented a district in Tulsa from 1965 to 1969. He was an advocate for civil rights legislation,Paul English, "Major civil rights gain seen for state", Lawton Constitution, January 7, 1968—via Newspapers.com . and also introduced a controversial abortion rights bill in 1967. After his legislative service he encountered legal difficulties, including serving a prison term for embezzlement (for which he was later pardoned).Donnelle Eller, "Health clinic ex-board member indicted", Tulsa World, July 11, 1991; Julie DelCour, "Jury Finds Former Morton Official Guilty of 2 Crimes", Tulsa World, October 25, 1991.Ray Gibson, "Judge assails law firm for court 'fraud'", Chicago Tribune, March 3, 1983."Former Solon Claims Cruel Lockup", Lawton Constitution, February 8, 1973—via Newspapers.com .
He is featured in the Oklahoma History Center's One Man One Vote exhibit.
References
External links "One [of] the First African-Americans to Re-enter the Oklahoma Legislature, Curtis L. Lawson Dies at Age 72", PRWeb, May 1, 2008