Coggs remembered as trailblazer in politics Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., speaks to family and friends of Marcia Coggs, Sunday. Governor Doyle is seated to the right. (AP Photo/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mary Jo Walicki) Associated Press MILWAUKEE (AP) - State and local officials joined friends and family members in remembering Marcia Coggs as a trailblazer in politics and matriarch of a highly successful political family. Coggs, the first black woman elected to the Wisconsin Legislature, died last Tuesday at the age of 75 after months of failing health. Wisconsin "has lost an historic, transforming political leader," said Gov. Jim Doyle at Sunday's funeral. She made sure "everyone had a voice in state government." Coggs, first elected to the Assembly in 1976, was called the "Conscience of the State of Wisconsin" by the time her tenure ended in 1992. She also was the first black person to serve on the Legislature's powerful Joint Finance Committee. Her daughter, Elizabeth Coggs-Jones, is a Milwaukee County supervisor; nephew Spencer Coggs is a state senator; and another nephew, Leon D. Young, is a state representative. A nephew is in the Kansas House of Representatives. Doyle said that as more Coggs family members join politics, "at this rate they will soon be a majority of the Legislature and will control the State of Wisconsin." Marcia Coggs was known for her fight for better schools and school desegregation, fair housing and quality health care. Hundreds of people packed Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ for her funeral, including such politicians as Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager, former Gov. Martin Schreiber and Milwaukee County Board Chairman Lee Holloway. "She never forgot about the importance of improving the quality of life for African-Americans," said U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., who served in the Legislature with her and considered her a mentor. Feingold, who had attended her 75th birthday party, said Marcia Coggs worked to improve the lives of all residents by pushing for affordable housing and other issues. "We are blessed to have known Marcia. We are blessed to have worked with Marcia. We are blessed to have fought alongside Marcia," said Feingold.