DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman University Athletics joins in mourning the passing as well as celebrating the life of former U.S. Congresswoman Carrie Meek, whose storied career included a stint in the school's athletic department.  Meek died November 28,2021 at her home in Miami after a long illness at the age of 95.

She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and Physical Education from Florida A&M in 1946, but would attend Graduate School in Michigan due to racial barriers.

Upon graduation, she accepted a position here at Bethune-Cookman as an instructor and first female basketball coach. It is recorded that she led the "Kittens" to Southeastern Athletic Conference championships from 1948-50 before returning to Florida A&M in 1958.

Meek continued her teaching career at Miami Dade Community College as the first Black professor, associate dean and assistant to the Vice President from 1961-1979.

She began her political career in 1979 representing Florida's 17^th congressional district in the Florida State House of Representatives.

She became the first Black woman to serve in the Florida State Senate from 1983 to 1993 and went on to become a United States Congresswoman until her retirement in 2002. She gained her seat at a difficult time for a district. badly damaged by Hurricane Andrew and needed rebuilding and infrastructure design. Meek was able to direct $100 million in federal assistance towards the rebuilding projects of Dade County while keeping focused on the issues she saw as most important: health care, housing, and education.

From 2002-2015, Meek oversaw her foundation which provided the Miami-Dade community with resources, opportunities and employment before stepping down due to health reasons.

In addition to all her numerous recognitions, Meek was enshrined in the Bethune-Cookman Athletic Hall of Fame's inaugural class.