Paula Carter

{{Short description|American politician (1940–2001)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}

Paula Jean Davis Carter (May 17, 1940 – November 5, 2001) was an American Democratic politician who served in the Missouri House of Representatives. She was also elected to the Missouri Senate as the first African-American woman to represent the Fifth Senatorial District from the city of St. Louis.{{cite news |title=Mo Sen. Paula Carter dies at age 61 |url=https://qconline.com/news/illinois/mo-sen-paula-carter-dies-at-age-61/article_645ccd9d-90f8-5cb6-8848-cfa2b22cacfc.html |access-date=March 12, 2022 |work=Rock Island Dispatch-Argus |date=November 2001}}

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, she previously worked as a chief of staff in the circuit clerk's office and as a precinct captain for J. B. "Jet" Banks.{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.mo.gov/01info/members/mem05.htm |title=A Celebration of The Life of Paula J. Carter |accessdate=February 23, 2022}}{{cite book |author=Rebecca McDowell Cook |year= |title=Official Manual State of Missouri 1999-2000 |publisher= |location= |id= |pages=149}}