On behalf of the State Bar of Georgia, I am writing to extend condolences to the family, colleagues and many friends of attorney and former state Rep. Henrietta E. Turnquest after her passing on March 29.

A member of the Georgia Bar since 1973, Ms. Turnquest was initially one of fewer than 50 African American female attorneys in Georgia and among the first handful of women of color to serve in the Georgia General Assembly. She represented DeKalb County in the House of Representatives from 1990 through 2002 and was the first African American woman to serve as an administration floor leader, having been appointed by Gov. Roy Barnes. She also spearheaded the integration of the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers.