Unlike the non-voting delegate seat, held by representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, the position was created on behalf of the District of Columbia's government and thus is not recognized by the United States Congress.
[6] Sojourner's congressional history primarily focused on gay and lesbian participation in the military, substance abuse, civil rights, police brutality, education, and domestic violence.
[7][8] Sojourner's main duty as D.C.'s sole Shadow Representative was to lobby congress in passing full federal representation for the District, citing the Tennessee Plan as evidence to elevate the status of D.C.'s citizens.
[5] Previously married when she was 18, and having a single son, Sojourner was subject to physical abuse by her former husband before they separated two years later.
[10] Sojourner also served as an author and poet, writing a poetry collection titled Psychic Scars and Other Mad Thoughts.