Harper Advocates for Urban Agriculture, Cannabis Legalization at National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women Conference

CHICAGO – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, recently led panels on urban agriculture and cannabis legalization at the 34th annual legislative conference of the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative (NOBEL) Women that was held in Chicago.

“As a longtime advocate for urban agriculture and chair of the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee, I was proud to speak about groundbreaking public policy and innovative community engagement strategies with black women colleagues from across the country,” Harper said. “I was also honored to share experiences about the legalization of adult-use recreational cannabis in Illinois, which is currently the only state do so through a legislature.”

NOBEL Women is a nonpartisan group organized to increase and promote the presence of black women in government. NOBEL Women offers educational forums, networking opportunities, and training programs for black women in legislative bodies to increase the number of black women in public service and enhance the ability of black women legislators to provide economic and social justice for their communities.

“I also want to thank NOBEL Women and the incredible legislators and former legislators it brought together in order to serve as a voice for economic and social justice,” Harper said. “I am incredibly grateful for having had the opportunity to share experiences with fellow Black women legislators from across America on how to better serve the diverse communities we represent.”

Harper represents the 6th District, which includes all or portions of Armour Square, Bridgeport, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Gage Park, Back of the Yards, Canaryville, New City, West Englewood, Marquette Park, South Loop and River North.