Ezola Broussard Foster
August 9, 1938 – May 22, 2018
First African-American nominated for Vice President of the United States of America by a Federal Election Commission-recognized and federally funded political party.
Synopsis
Early Life: Ezola Broussard Foster was born on August 9, 1938, in Maurice, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. Her upbringing in southwestern Louisiana laid the foundation for her future endeavors.
Education and Teaching Career: In 1960, Foster earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Education from Texas Southern University. Later, in 1973, she achieved a Master’s in School Management and Administration from Pepperdine University. She relocated to Los Angeles, California, in 1960, where she embarked on a remarkable career as a public high school teacher for thirty-three years. During her teaching tenure, she instructed students in typing, business courses, and occasionally English classes.
Political Career
Early Activism: Foster’s political journey began in 1986 when she secured the Republican nomination for the California Assembly’s 48th district. In the general election, she faced incumbent assemblywoman Maxine Waters. Despite her efforts, she finished second in the race, with Waters maintaining her seat. In the early 1990s, Foster gained attention for her staunch defense of police officers involved in the Rodney King beating case. She organized a testimonial dinner for Laurence Powell, one of the convicted officers.
Advocacy for Proposition 187: In 1994, while teaching at Bell High School in Bell, California, Foster became a prominent advocate for Proposition 187. This controversial California ballot initiative aimed to deny government programs, including social services, health care, and public education, to illegal immigrants. Foster’s support for Proposition 187, despite its unpopularity at the predominantly Hispanic school where she taught, made her a notable figure in the immigration debate.
Authorship and Media Appearances: Foster’s political engagement extended to the publication of her book, “What’s Right for All Americans,” in 1996. She made appearances on various media outlets, including Larry King Live, CBS This Morning, CNN & CO., Nightline, NewsTalk Television, CNN Live, MSNBC, Politically Incorrect, and several CBS, NBC, and ABC newscasts.
2000 Presidential Election
Running Mate for Pat Buchanan: In the 2000 U.S. presidential election, Pat Buchanan selected Ezola Broussard Foster as his running mate. Her conservative media background and public speaking skills made her a compelling choice for the Reform Party ticket. However, her selection generated controversy, with critics suggesting that her nomination was based on her race. Despite not having held political office, Foster made significant contributions to the campaign, becoming the first African American and second woman (after Geraldine Ferraro) to be nominated for vice president by a party recognized and funded by the Federal Election Commission.
Congressional Run
Reform Party Candidate: Foster ran for Congress in the special election held on June 5, 2001, in California’s 32nd district. She represented the Reform Party but garnered only 1.5% of the vote in the election.
Personal Life
Faith and Relationships: Foster was a Catholic. She had experienced the annulment of her first marriage upon discovering that her husband was a convicted felon. In 1977, she entered her second marriage with Chuck Foster, a truck driver.
Ezola Broussard Foster passed away on May 22, 2018
Legacy and Awards:
Ezola Broussard Foster’s legacy lies in her trailblazing journey as a conservative political activist, writer, and politician. Her significant contributions during the 2000 presidential election and advocacy for Proposition 187 made her a notable figure in American politics. Despite the controversies surrounding her career, she left an indelible mark on the political landscape.