Local Attorney and author Karen Gooden discusses her publication about female lawmakers in the Maryland General Assembly.
Available now in The Gooden Center’s Bookstore
“One family’s journey through time, bound by purpose, lifted by resilience”
“A lawyer’s a social engineer or he is a parasite on society.”
About the Author
Karen Williams Gooden, Esq.
Author, Historian, Attorney, and Community Leader
Karen Williams Gooden, Esq., is an award-winning author, historian, and attorney dedicated to uncovering and preserving African American history. As the founder of The Gooden Center for Law, Media, Policy, and Historic Preservation, she has devoted over 40 years to public service in the state of Maryland.
A graduate of Howard University and the Howard University School of Law, Karen has authored several acclaimed works, including "Like a Phoenix I’ll Rise," "A Cross Borne," and her latest book, "They Came ’Cross Salt Water" — a powerful multigenerational story that traces her Black and white ancestry through slavery, resilience, and triumph in America.
Karen's work is recognized for its blend of deep historical research and compelling narrative. She has co-produced educational documentaries, chronicled the lives of trailblazing Black leaders, and extensively written about women's leadership in Maryland politics. Her storytelling honors the past while inspiring readers to learn, reflect, and take pride in their heritage.
In addition to her writing, Karen is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Links, Inc., the NAACP, and the National Council of Negro Women.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”